Design Archives

a giant daddy long legs sculpture made of wood set against green trees

“Big Bugs” land at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Kara HolsoppleJune 26, 2024

The large-scale scultures of David Rogers' Big Bugs + Pollinators highlight the ecological importance of insects and pollinators.

ConservationCultureDesignWild PennsylvaniaWildlifeYour Environment Update

A row of beige fireflighter jackets and yellow hats hanging on hooks

College students find greener protections for firefighters

WDIYMay 31, 2024

As a class project, Lehigh University students came up with ways to protect firefighters from dangerous PFAS chemicals on the job.

DesignHealthNews

Eleven people state in front of a duplex holding a large ceremonial ribbon

Unique duplex in State College promotes sustainability and affordability

Sydney RoachNovember 7, 2023

The average home value in State College is about $380,000. This renovated passive house is on sale for only $105,000.

DesignEnergy

The playground at Liberty Green in Larimer

Stormwater Infrastructure Hidden Beneath Two New Pittsburgh Parks

Susan Scott PetersonSeptember 16, 2021

Pittsburgh's sewer system was built in the 1800s for a much smaller city, and it's notorious for overflowing. But there's a new way to capture stormwater, hidden beneath the green grass of two new parks.

DesignWater

Inside one of Pennsylvania’s most energy-efficient buildings

Marie CusickJuly 12, 2019

The building actually generated 75 percent more energy than it consumed–thanks to more than 500 solar panels on the roof, a ground-mounted solar array, and 20 geothermal wells.

Climate ChangeDesignEnergy

Art That Grows Awareness and Appreciation for Trees

Kara HolsoppleJune 28, 2019

A Pittsburgh artist hopes to reconnect people to trees through Tree Pittsburgh's new exhibit FRUITFUL.

ConservationCultureDesignWild PennsylvaniaYour Environment Update

This Machine Will Change The Way You Think About Plastic

Kara HolsoppleAugust 2, 2018

Plastic has become the poster child for the wastefulness of the modern world. But Dutch designer Bart Bleijerveld says it’s a really useful, even beautiful material. We’re just using it the wrong way.

DesignPollutionTechnology

A Giant Cheeseburger and the Fight Against Blight

Kara HolsoppleSeptember 23, 2016

Though vacant lots are often seen as the bane of many communities, a group of Pittsburgh artists is trying to reimagine them as an opportunity.

CultureDesign

Pittsburgh’s Industrial Past Finds New Life as Public Art

Kara HolsoppleSeptember 16, 2016

We pay a visit to Pittsburgh's inaugural Re:NEW Festival, an art and performance event that’s all about reusing materials and environmental sustainability.

CultureDesign

Hey, Pittsburgh. You Now Have the Greenest City Building in the World.

The Allegheny FrontSeptember 9, 2016

Geothermal heating, a parking area covered in solar panels and a rainwater collection system are just a few of the bells and whistles that make Pittsburgh's new Frick Environmental Center a marvel of green design.

CultureDesign

Full Episodes

Episode for November 15, 2024

Episode for November 8, 2024

Episode for November 1, 2024

2024 Election

What Pennsylvania voters say about the environment

Longtime environmental official on Pennsylvania election results: People will need to be ‘as tenacious as the industry’

What can we expect from a Trump administration? Our reporters weigh in.

Design

“Big Bugs” land at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

College students find greener protections for firefighters

Unique duplex in State College promotes sustainability and affordability

Stormwater Infrastructure Hidden Beneath Two New Pittsburgh Parks

Inside one of Pennsylvania’s most energy-efficient buildings

Art That Grows Awareness and Appreciation for Trees

This Machine Will Change The Way You Think About Plastic

A Giant Cheeseburger and the Fight Against Blight

Pittsburgh’s Industrial Past Finds New Life as Public Art

Hey, Pittsburgh. You Now Have the Greenest City Building in the World.