The Chemistry Annex achieved LEED Gold Certification status on October 30, 2018. The project earned 61 out of 110 total points on the LEED v2009 New Construction scorecard. The Chem Annex renovation and addition earned a significant number of points in the Sustainable Sites and Indoor Environmental Quality categories. A further breakdown of points can be found in the USGBC directory and in the scorecard attached below.

This project included a complete renovation of the interior of the existing Chemistry Annex and a 9,600 square-foot addition. The main purpose of the remodeling was to create state-of-the-art labs and transformative spaces for future education, learning, and research. A complete remodel and space reassignment took place inside the building and all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were replaced for today’s standards. A new lecture hall and renovated labs were upgraded with new equipment to modernize the learning spaces in the building.

Some green building achievements of this project include:

• A ventilation system exceeding ASHRAE 62.1-2007 standards by over 30%.
• Direct outdoor and daylight views from 99% of occupied spaces in the building.
• Low emitting materials used in all applicable situations – adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, composite wood and agrifiber products, and flooring systems.
• Thermal design and controls in the building meet standards set by ASHRAE 55-2004.
• Community connectivity, bicycle storage, and public transportation access.
• Maximized open space on the project site and minimized heat island effect of non-roof hardscape surfaces.
• A total water use reduction of 26% and water-efficient outdoor landscaping.
• Optimized energy performance with 22% energy cost savings and a two-year purchasing agreement for green power for 70% of the building’s electricity.
• All HVAC, refrigeration, and fire suppression systems minimize the emission of refrigerants and ozone-depleting substances that lead to climate change.
• 95% of the building’s existing structural elements were reused and 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfills.
• 23% of the total building materials were manufactured or extracted locally, and 29% were manufactured using recycled materials.