The Consol Energy Center, the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is the first NHL arena to achieve LEED Gold certification. The arena earned 42 LEED points, nine of which were for indoor environmental quality and seven for materials and resources.

The 735,000-square-foot structure features a Kawneer Company Inc. curtainwall, among other products, and was designed by Populus, a Kansas City, Mo.-based firm.

In order to have the arena ready for the 2010-2011 season the construction team, which also included, construction managers PJ Dick and Hunt Construction, project management firm ICON and glazing contractors from D-M Products Inc. and Universal Glass, had to work quickly and efficiently.

Kawneer’s 1600 Wall System®1 was used to allow the arena to maintain its feeling of openness. The curtainwall, which helped bring light into the facility, was also painted Champagne Gold to match the hockey team’s colors

“The wall featured multiple curves and radii, requiring several adjustments to the drawings,” says Scott Pence, project manager with Kawneer. “But we were able to strike a balance between the architects’ visions and the building functions that looked great on the finished product.”

Other products used included Kawneer’s Trifab® VG (VersaGlaze®) 451T framing, an IsoLock® thermal break, 1600 SunShade® and Kawneer’s 500 Heavy Wall™ Entrances.

The Consol Energy Center opened August 18, 2010, with a performance by Paul McCartney. The first Penguins game was played on September 22.