IU Bloomington Earns Three New LEED Gold Certifications
By Aziza Jackson
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University Bloomington recently received three LEED Gold certifications for buildings, bringing the campus total to nine. The School of Public and Environmental Affairs addition, Ray E. Cramer Marching Hundred Hall and Hodge Hall all received gold certification in late 2018 and early 2019, reaffirming the university’s commitment to ensuring all new construction receives a minimum LEED Gold certification or higher, as laid out in the IU Bicentennial Strategic Plan.
“Indiana University has been a leader among Big Ten institutions in environmentally conscious building design and construction,” said Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities Thomas A. Morrison. “Our three most recent LEED Gold certifications exemplify our commitment to constructing facilities that support and enhance our beautiful campus while seeking efficiencies in function, energy and water consumption, and use of recycled and other eco-friendly building materials.”
The Ray E. Cramer Marching Hundred Hall earned 63 points out of 110 and was certified in October 2018, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs addition 63 points out of 110 and was certified in November 2018, and Hodge Hall earned 60 points out of 110 and was certified in January 2019.
LEED’s point-based rating system evaluates buildings for their performance in seven categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and regional priority credits.
The following IU Bloomington construction projects have received LEED certifications:
Gold: 60 to 79 points
- 3rd and Union Apartments
- Cyberinfrastructure Building
- Hodge Hall
- Global and International Studies Building
- Jacobs School of Music East Studio Building
- Ray E. Cramer Marching Hundred Hall
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs Addition
- Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall renovation
- Spruce Hall
Silver: 50 to 59 points
- Innovation Center
- Multidisciplinary Science Building II
- Research and Teaching Preserve
- Tulip Tree Apartments
Certified: 40 to 49 points
- Forest Dining Hall
Contributing solutions like public transportation access, use of open spaces, water use reduction, efficient mechanical systems, installation of LED lighting, diversion of construction waste from landfills and recycling programs earn LEED certification points.