Several new and renovated 91ֿ buildings received Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) recognition in 2016, bringing to 11 the total number of certified buildings on 91ֿ’s campuses. LEED is a rating system that comes from the U.S. Green Building Council.
There are four levels of certification: LEED certified, silver, gold and platinum. The projects most recently LEED certified include:
- The Center for Undergraduate Excellence – LEED Gold
- The Aeronautics and Technology Building – LEED Gold
- The Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement – LEED Silver
- Koonce Hall – LEED Silver
- Wright Hall – LEED Certified
- Leebrick Hall – LEED Certified
- The Tolloty Technology Incubator at 91ֿ at Tuscarawas – LEED Certified
Buildings that previously received LEED certification are Harbourt and Heer halls on the Kent Campus (LEED Gold), the Science and Nursing Building at 91ֿ at Stark (LEED Gold) and the 91ֿ Regional Academic Center in Twinsburg (LEED Silver).
“The goal of the LEED rating system is to shift the whole construction industry into using more sustainable products,” said Melanie Knowles, 91ֿ’s sustainability manager. “Energy efficiency is a huge portion of it, as well as water efficiency, indoor air quality and access to transportation. With a great deal of construction on 91ֿ campuses in the last few years, the university made a commitment to strive for LEED certification in as many of the new and renovated buildings as possible.”
The certification process is underway for two of the newest facilities on the Kent Campus: the Center for Visual Arts and the Center for Architecture and Environmental Design. Knowles expects to hear word on the two facilities later this year.
To have 11 projects LEED certified in five years is a tremendous achievement, Knowles said.
“What we are seeing is years of work and commitment coming to fruition with the completion and certification of these buildings,” she said. “The Office of the University Architect has ensured that 91ֿ benefits from buildings that are efficient, comfortable and a good value for many years.”