Growing Green

Student Center - LEED Gold Certified

LEED Gold Certified Project is Registered with the US Green Building Council and Expected to Achieve a LEED Gold Rating

LEED certification is a method of applying for and receiving recognition that a building project meets LEED standards. In order to apply for LEED certification, a project must (1) be registered with LEED, (2) have documentation during the building or renovation phases of the building, (3) work with LEED project personnel who review documentation concerning the building. The decision of the LEED review team can either be accepted or appealed by the applicant.

The LEED Green Building rating is recognized worldwide as the standard for measuring the performance of energy efficient buildings. LEED was created by the United States Green Building Council in order to:

Standardize a measurable definition of what is a green building
Promote whole-building design architectural and construction practices
Recognize leadership in the building industry
Encourage competition among green builders
Raise public awareness of green building benefits
Transform the building industry and market

LEED quality ratings can be applied to both existing and new building construction. LEED standards are either being developed or already established for the following categories:

New commercial construction and major renovation projects (LEED-NC)
Existing building operations (LEED-EB)
Commercial interior projects (LEED-CI)
Core and shell projects (LEED-CS)
Homes (LEED-H)
Neighborhood development (LEED-ND)

Project Sustainable Strategies

Site

Habitat Restoration of a Previously Developed Site
Shaded Paving to Reduce Heat Island Effect
Low Maintenance, Drought-Resistant Native Landscape
East-West Building Orientation to Maximize Daylight
Preferred Parking for Fuel Efficient Vehicles and Carpools

Water

Dual Flush Toilets and Waterless Urinals to Reduce Water Consumption
Rainwater Recycling System

Energy

High Efficiency Direct Exchange Geothermal Heat Pump Mechanical System
HVAC System Commissioning
HVAC System Use No Ozone Depleting Refrigerants
Super insulated, Energy Star, High Albedo, Low-E Roof System
Solar Hot Water Heating
Low-E Windows
Photovoltaic Renewable Energy System
Light Shelves to Enhance Daylighting

Materials

Construction Material Recycling During Building Construction
Construction Materials Containing Recycled and Recyclable Content
Regional Construction Materials
Offsite Manufactured Exterior Wall Panels to Minimize Onsite Waste
FSC Certified Wood

Indoor Environmental Quality

View to Outdoors for 95% of All Regularly Occupied Interior Spaces
Daylight for 75% of All Regularly Occupied Interior Spaces
Low VOC Adhesives, Sealants, Paints, and Carpet
Interior Woodwork Contains No Urea-Formaldehyde Resins
Operable Windows for Natural Ventilation
Glazed Interior Partitions to Provide Interior Work Spaces with Natural Light and Views to Outdoors

Project Views

Finished Student Center

Building F

Architect Rendering

Artist's rendition aerial view of the Student Center being built

Time-Lapse 12/07/07 - 09/17/08