The South Terrace

Urban ambiance

And like all of the Convention Center’s sustainable features, the function of our living roof is more than aesthetic.​

  • Rooftop Garden

    Closest to the building is a mixture of low-lying Sedum, often used on vegetated roof systems because of its non-invasive and hardy properties. The meadow along the south railing is made up of different species of Southern Pennsylvania native wildflowers and grasses. Since the plants are native, they are well-adapted to the local climate, thus requiring low maintenance and little watering. Our rooftop garden includes two collections:

    Perennial Collection

    • Blue Flax (Linum lewissi)
    • Paprika (Achillea millefolium)
    • Arkansas Bluestar (Amsonia hubrechtii)
    • Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis)
    • Kim's Knee High (Echinacea purpurea)
    • Butterflyweed (Asclepia tuberosa)
    • Hyssop (Agastache rupestris)
    • Yellow Loosetrife (Lysimachia punctata)
    • Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
    • Blue Gamma (Bouteloua gracilis)
    • Fragrant Aster (Aster oblongifolius)
    • Blue Sage (Salvia azurea)

    Sedum Collection

    • Stonecrop (Sedum kamtschaticum)
    • Jonn Creech (Sedum spurium)

  • Plant Purification

    The perennial and Sedum species on the South Terrace remove the equivalent of 255 passenger cars’ worth of carbon dioxide and air pollutants from the atmosphere each year. The growing medium, which supports the plants, acts as a natural rainwater filter, restoring pH and removing hard metals like zinc and copper. By storing and re-evaporating up to 80% of the rainfall during storms, our green roof also reduces the burden on municipal drainage systems and helps to protect water quality.

  • Water Filtration

    Studies by the Penn State Center for Green Roof Research have shown green roofs in Pennsylvania's climate retain approximately 50% of rainfall on average. During the summer months, the retention reaches up to 80%. If watering is needed, our green roof uses a high-efficiency drip irrigation system supplied by Pittsburgh's fourth river, an underground aquifer. This system is controlled by a sensor array to provide water only when it is needed, saving over 32,000 gallons of water annually.

  • A Cooler Option

    The urban heat island effect results in higher demand for energy-intensive air conditioning. By absorbing sunlight and re-humidifying the air, our green roof limits surface heating and reduces the urban heat island effect. Studies by the Penn State Center show that even during the hottest Pittsburgh days, green roofs such as ours remain fifty degrees cooler than conventional roofs. Located on the South Terrace (3,000 sq. ft.), white pavers are made with a high-SRI (Solar Reflectance Index) material which helps reduce the urban heat island effect.

Native Plants

Selected for their ecological benefits and ability to thrive in a rooftop environment, the South Terrace's plants are native or non-invasive adaptive species. The plant collection is made up of perennials and sedums.

Pollution Control

Based on studies by the US EPA, it is estimated that the South Terrace's green roof will remove 680 pounds of particulate matter pollution from the air annually.

Water Filtration

Retaining rainfall allows for the green roof to self-water.

Heat Absorption

Traditional roofs made of dry, impermeable materials such as concrete and asphalt can exceed air temperatures by up to ninety degrees in the summer.

This can cause urban areas to be significantly warmer than neighboring rural areas. This phenomenon is known as the urban heat island effect. Green Roofs provide an alternative.