Nugent Residence Hall Awarded Prestigious LEED Green Building Certification
University Housing at the University of Illinois is pleased to announced that Timothy J. Nugent Residence Hall has been awarded LEED Silver certification as established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
“We are very pleased that Nugent Hall, in addition to being a model of accessibility, is also a model of environmental sustainability,” said John E. Collins, director of University Housing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Nugent Hall achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified building save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
“Nugent Hall’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Nugent Hall serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”
LEED certification of Nugent Hall was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:
- More than 20 percent of the materials used for the project were manufactured and harvested within a 500-mile radius from the site, including the concrete and brick. Using regional materials helps support the local economy and reduces transportation costs and environmental impacts.
- More than 10 percent of the products used in the construction of Nugent Hall contain recycled content.
- The white reflective roof was designed to reduce solar heat absorption, keeping the environment cooler and using less energy for air conditioning.
- The wall and roof insulation was selected for its ability to keep cold or hot temperatures out, promoting a comfortable temperature inside, saving energy, and lowering the heating/cooling costs.
- The landscape is designed with native and drought-tolerant plants to reduce dependency on potable water. Low-flow plumbing fixtures were also utilized to reduce water consumption by over 20 percent.
- Light fixtures Nugent Hall use low-energy wattage lamps to conserve energy.
- Over 80 percent of the construction waste was recycled, reducing landfill waste.
- Indoor Air Quality measures were implemented during the construction process to achieve a high level of cleanliness and air quality. Keeping the construction site clean also protects the HVAC systems and improves efficiency.
- Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products, including paints, coatings, adhesives, and sealants, were chosen to increase indoor air quality.
In addition to its numerous sustainability features, Nugent Hall is a leader in accessibility for students with severe physical disabilities.