LEED Gold status awarded to Radford University residence halls

Three Radford University residence halls have been granted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, marking another achievement in the university's sustainability initiatives.

Three Radford University residence halls have been granted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification, marking another achievement in the university's sustainability initiatives.

Bolling, Draper and Pocahontas halls join the university’s Madison, Jefferson and Moffett residence halls in achieving LEED Gold status.

Those buildings, combined with the College of Humanities and Behavioral Science (CHBS) Building, the College of Business and Economics’ Kyle Hall and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, add up to nine Radford University buildings to be granted LEED Gold certification.

The CHBS Building achieved the status in 2017 and Kyle Hall in 2014. Moffett Hall was recognized in 2013. Madison and Jefferson were granted LEED Gold status following renovations completed in 2011.

“Our Facilities Management team has created one of the most energy efficient campuses in the Commonwealth, while at the same time maintaining the beautiful, historic character of our buildings and grounds,” said Radford University Sustainability Manager Josh Nease. “Their renovation strategy, to not only update facilities but to make them as efficient, healthy and environmentally friendly as economically possible, is something that makes us all very proud.”

The LEED rating system is comprised of a number of credit categories, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material and resources, indoor environment quality and innovation and design process.

LEED is a voluntary program that provides verification of green buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council. According to the USGBC, LEED-certified buildings lower operating costs, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste sent to landfills, are healthier for occupants and conserve energy and water.

Pocahontas and Bolling halls were renovated and reopened in the fall of 2015. Each house about 250 students. Draper was renovated in 2016 and houses about 125 students.

Each of the renovations was completed with rapidly renewable materials that can regenerate within 10 years, such as bamboo flooring in lobbies and lounges. Material also came from responsibly harvested wood, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

The residence halls offer students plenty of opportunities to conserve, such as water filling stations to help reduce the use of plastic bottles and recycling centers on each floor. The buildings have low-flow toilets, sinks and showers and occupancy sensors that turn off LED lighting with rooms are unoccupied.

 

Mar 15, 2018
Chad Osborne
540-831-7761
caosborne@radford.edu