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CONSOL Energy Corporation Headquarters
 Architect
Designstream LLC
30 Isabella Street, #101, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
www.dsstudio.biz
General Description
LEED® SILVER
Location:
Southpointe, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Date Bid: Nov 2006 Construction Period: Nov 2006 to Aug
2008
Total Square Feet: 365,000* Site: 24.8 acres. Number of
Buildings: One.
Building Size: Lower level (mechanical/support/parking), 71,500;
first floor, 77,000; second floor, 76,600; third floor, 46,000; fourth
floor, 46,400; exterior roof area (roof garden, 18,500); total, 365,000*
square feet.
Building Height: Basement, 14’ 8"; first floor, 16’; second
floor, 14’; third floor, 14’; fourth floor, 16’; penthouse, 14’; total,
74’8” above grade, 88’ plus basement.
Basic Construction Type: New/Structural Steel.
Foundation: Cast-in-place, pier & grade beam.
Exterior Walls: CMU, curtainwall, granite. Roof: Built-up,
metal, membrane, green roof with pavers. Floors: Concrete.
Interior Walls: CMU, metal stud drywall.Projected and/or
Modeled Energy Usuage KBTU/SF/yr: 38.8 site energy, 87.4 source
energy.
Construction Team
Owner/Developer: Horizon Properties - 375 Southpointe Boulevard,
#410, Canonsburg, PA 15317
Structural Engineer: Churches Consulting Engineers - 347 Locust
Avenue, Washington, PA 15301
General Contractor: Continental Building Systems - 285 E.
Waterfront Drive, #150, Homestead, PA 15120
MEP Engineer: Claitman Engineering Associates, Inc. - 1340 Old
Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
With gestures towards elements of the earth and the energy industry,
CONSOL Energy's new CNX Center, headquarters incorporates architecture
as a reflection of mining history. Tinted sloping glass and polished
granite panels are used as abstractions of coal seams. Sweeping metal
roofs reference the conveyor belts essential to product delivery, while
other elements symbolize the ventilation towers and lanterns. Main
entrances are clearly defined with the "erosion of coal" granite
cutaways. Strategic night lighting uses blue low voltage flame to
represent the CNX Gas Corporation, a CONSOL Energy company, as well as
energy conservation in general. In an effort to generate a unique
architectural signature; the building shape and design is crafted into
the CONSOL logo when viewed from above.
While railings and other interior elements reflect the pilings and entry
portals indicative to this business, the two-story atrium is flooded
with natural light and generous seating. The two translucent skylights
are each 220 feet long, and eliminate the need for artificial light in
almost 10,000 square feet of the building during day time operation.
This open-air, naturally lit environment promotes co-mingling of staff
in "no-wall" meetings. The free exchange of ideas strengthens
communications between departments and the company.
From the project onset the client requested the architect explore
options to break down the "departmental silos" and find ways for
departmental staff to interact more. Subsequently, all common conference
rooms were located on the first floor and lower level to promote
physical travel and interaction. Some were left "open air" to invite
participation and the sharing of information, while most use
sophisticated room scheduling software integrated with all desktop
personal calendars. Kitchenettes and coffee stations are located between
departments rather than within, promoting the same cross-fertilization
of ideas.
The main lobby and second floor atrium offer multiple seating venues for
work, discussions, research, or lunch breaks during inclement weather.
Gathering spaces outside of group training rooms double as welcome
centers and a museum which displays the history of the mining industry
and CONSOL Energy. Both Interior and exterior signage are integrated,
reflecting the shape of the building down to the last detail. The
"green" earthen roof offers a respite from the work day with café-style
tables, landscaping and plaza seating for all employees.
Implementing LEED practices into 365,000 square feet of useable real
estate, the building is full of highly efficient technology and energy
monitoring equipment to improve communications and reduce consumption.
CONSOL "leads by example." As one of the nation's largest producers of
energy; the new much larger headquarters building will consume
significantly less energy than their previous location.
A quote from Continental Building Systems regarding project safety: "The
CONSOL Energy Headquarters construction project earned the most
prestigious recognition offered by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) when it was named a Star Site in the agency's
Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). The VPP certification process
entailed an exhaustive review of the project's safety and health
programs, including management commitment, employee involvement,
worksite analyses such as inspections and Job Hazard Analyses, extensive
training including the OSHA 30-Hour Course, and subcontractor
involvement. In addition, a team of four OSHA representatives verified
the site's safety culture with a week-long onsite assessment and
interviews with over 120 contractor employees working on the project."
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