The Team: The PNC Financial Services Group (ownership), Gensler (architecture and design) and Fairmont (operator)

The Brief: Create an exceedingly green property with an authentically local experience, while taking advantage of the surrounding downtown views of Mount Washington, PNC Ballpark and the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers.

The Project: The $42-million, 185-room hotel opened on March 29 with 12,000 square feet of meeting space, a 6,000-square-foot spa and a full-service restaurant as part of the 23-story mixed-use Three PNC Plaza, the largest high-rise construction project in the city in the last two decades.

The Focal Points: Guided by the theme “Art and Industry,” Gensler created interiors reflective of the local community, with local steel and glass inside and out. An 18-foot-tall organic wooden sculpture commissioned by a local artist greets guests at the entrance, adding an unexpected element to the more modern interior. The lobby features a dramatic high ceiling, a sculptural front desk and a grand staircase leading to a restaurant above the front desk. Unique artifacts uncovered during excavation are featured throughout the property to connect modern life to what life was like at the site 150 years ago. Museum quality displays showcase the found artifacts like glass bottles, gilded decorations, botanical prints and tiles and Kestner dolls.

The Finished Product: The guestroom’s design and décor is modern and eco-sensitive, the color schemes inspired by the rivers and bridges of Pittsburgh. The hotel earned LEED Gold certification in August, yet guests still can enjoy a luxury experience without realizing the focus on sustainability.

Read about the other design award winners here and find links to their galleries. And please vote for your favorite here.