PITTSBURGH — Students from South West College in Northern Ireland joined Penn State students in Pittsburgh to learn best practices in energy-efficient design during the High-Performance Building Summer Program, held June 3-21. Pittsburgh was selected because of its classification as a United Nations International Center of Excellence on High-Performance Building. A joint initiative between the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State and South West College in Northern Ireland, the program was developed in collaboration with Pittsburgh’s Green Building Alliance and the Penn State-led Global Building Network.
Along with engineering and construction technology students from South West College, the program is open to first- and second-year Penn State architectural engineering, architecture, and environmental systems engineering students who want to learn about high-performance building standards and features. Tom Bartnik, director of the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State, said the program also helps to prepare students for future training as certified consultants and designers.
“This program goes beyond instruction about the technical side of high-performance buildings, offering students a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural experience in Pittsburgh,” Bartnik said. “By framing the program in the context of sustainable development, the students also engage in discussions about the built environment’s role in reducing carbon emissions, improving quality of life for individuals, and contributing to equitable and thriving communities.”
Students spend three weeks immersed in classes, workshops and select site visits to the Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes, Tree Pittsburgh Education Center, Frick Environmental Center, Energy Innovation Center, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Carrick, Chatham University’s Eden Hall Campus, and the Kentuck Knob and Fallingwater houses by Frank Lloyd Wright.
“Seeing the different stages of building from past to present you see humanity trying to control nature with the first and oldest building, and the more we are present in today’s living buildings we realize we have to work with nature not control it, to try to get the best for everyone,” said Sean McKenna, innovation manager for South West College. “The learning experience coupled with real-world examples are invaluable, but what is arguably just as important is the softer stuff. Our students, for whatever reason, whether it’s the system or the culture, tend to be quite reserved and quiet. The American students are good at communication. So, by the end, the dynamics change, and everyone comes out of their shell, and they go home a new person.”
Mia Kelly is pursuing an Ulster University Foundation Degree in Civil Engineering from South West College. She said the buildings she saw in Pittsburgh differ from the buildings she sees at home, giving her a new perspective.
“There are obviously a lot of windows in the skyscrapers. We’ve talked about thermal bridging and what to do with all those windows and I used to think you wouldn’t be able to do much with all the corners, edges, different materials and insulation. We were taught about it, but now I am thinking about it a lot,” Kelly said. “I’ve been enjoying these classes. I’m usually a quiet person but during these courses, I want to put myself out there and I want to ask questions that I usually wouldn’t. I’ve been getting answers for every question and I’m proud of myself for talking out loud.”
Suhani Srivastava is a Penn State student majoring in environmental systems engineering and geography in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences but said she is still uncertain of her choice for career path.
“We’ve talked a lot about different aspects of building on the construction side and then on the field trips we talk more about the plant side and more about human interaction,” Srivastava said. “I really liked having all those different areas to look at and better understand what I like and don’t like and where my major can take me.”
The High-Performance Building Summer Program is in its third year. Applications for the summer 2025 program will open in February.
For more information about sustainability-focused programs, visit the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State, a service of Penn State Outreach.