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.

The post IU Bloomington Earns Three New LEED Gold Certifications appeared first on School Construction News.

BOULDER, Colo. — The Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE), which opened in the heart of the University of Colorado Boulder’s main campus last summer, has been awarded LEED Gold status by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The 114,000-square-foot CASE building serves as a new gateway to the campus that supports the academic and student experience from the time prospective students first visit campus through their time at CU Boulder, to graduation and beyond. The latest recognition brings the total number of CU Boulder buildings with LEED certification to 27, either for new construction or major renovations.

“Earning LEED certification for such a prominent building on our campus is exciting as it helps place our commitment to sustainable and efficient building practices front and center in the CU Boulder landscape,” said David Kang, vice chancellor for infrastructure and sustainability.

Noresco provided sustainability consulting services to CU Boulder to ensure that sustainability goals of the CASE project were achieved. Oz Architecture and Bora Architects led design of the building, while GH Phipps Construction Cos., served as general contractor.

Sustainability was woven into systems throughout the CASE building. One of the most prominent features is the electrochromic glass installed at the top-level terraces. The glazing on these south-facing windows self-dims as sun exposure increases, minimizing heat gain and glare while highlighting the breathtaking views of the Flatirons mountains beyond. Also significant was construction of the building atop an existing parking garage, avoiding consumption of green space and actually introducing new sources of vegetation to the site on the north-facing slope.

Other sustainability highlights that bolstered the CASE building’s LEED score include:

• LED lighting throughout that contributes to 32 percent energy savings versus a baseline office and classroom building

• Low-flow plumbing features to conserve water, contributing to a 40 percent reduction in indoor water use versus a baseline office and classroom building

• 67 percent of construction waste diverted from landfills

• HVAC and envelope designed to provide a comfortable thermal environment to promote occupant productivity and well-being

The post CASE Building Notches LEED Gold in Colorado appeared first on School Construction News.

DALLAS — Merriman Anderson/Architects (MAA) recently announced that the historic Dallas High School has achieved LEED Gold certification.

The 102,000-square-foot, four-story building was built in 1907 and sat empty for nearly two decades before being purchased by Matthews Southwest and redeveloped into 78,000 square feet of historically converted office space, along with 10,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and outdoor patio space.

MAA is the design architect, historic architect and architect of record for the building shell and interior restoration, including the LEED certification process.

In order to receive LEED gold certification, MAA implemented many sustainable site and material strategies, as well as envelope improvements to optimize energy efficiency.

“To increase the energy performance of the building, the envelope was improved per historic preservation standards, which was the biggest challenge,” said Aimee Sanborn, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal and Team Leader at Merriman Anderson/Architects. “However, with the envelope and lighting improvements, combined energy savings improved by more than 21.9 percent.”

A few sustainable site strategies included the abatement of contaminants in the existing building, such as the installation of native vegetation with drip irrigation and priority parking for fuel-efficient vehicles as well as on-site electric charging stations.

Highly reflective thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing membrane, an efficient HVAC system, and LED lighting were all established within the building to improve energy efficiency. With the installation of low flow fixtures, the potable water use within the building was reduced by more than 49.31 percent.

More than 99.64 percent of the existing core and shell were reused, and products were installed that possessed recycled content reducing the amount of construction waste. To improve the environmental health throughout the building, MAA installed low-emitting materials.

Dallas High School recently won a 2018 Preservation Dallas Achievement Award, which honors Dallas’ outstanding residential and commercial historic preservation projects and the individuals who are committed to making Dallas a better place to live by protecting its architectural heritage.

The post Dallas High School Earns LEED Gold appeared first on School Construction News.