Gary Ransdell Hall

The WKU Board of Regents named the new College of Education the name The Gary A. Ransdell College of Education in 2009. This building was the first to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification and was the first of the LEED certified buildings on campus.

Some of the important credits required for the Gold certification implemented in Gary A. Ransdell Hall include the following:

• low emitting (VOC) adhesive, paints, carpets, and furnishings for improved air quality
• recycled content and regional materials
• optimized energy performance
• reflective coating on roof and parking lots for a reduction in heat island effect
• bicycle storage and changing rooms
• access to public transportation

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Music Hall

Music Hall’s renovation was completed in 2010, granting WKU a second LEED Gold certification. Upon completion of the project, energy performance was 24% better than average building performance. 75% of construction waste was recycled or salvaged, and there was a 35% reduction in water consumption.

The following strategies were implemented to earn the Gold certification: 

• installation of an aggressive stormwater management system that uses a 40,000- gallon aquifer beneath the building’s driveway to treat storm water due to the building location being on a karst site.
• Low-plumbing fixtures in use to minimize water consumption
• Low emitting (VOC) construction materials used to protect the air quality
• Bicycle commuter shower installed
• Windows placed for maximum daylight infusion into the building
• Installation of a white roof to reduce the heat island effect

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Ogden College Hall

Ogden College Hall was Western's third building to earn LEED Gold status. Ogden College Hall boasts an 80,00 square foot complex with 36 laboratories for the departments of Chemistry, Physics and Biology; a 300-seat auditorium, student success center and student lounges; and the Dean’s Suite for the Ogden College of Science and Engineering. OCH won the Shaw Design People's Choice Award for beautifully and intelligently integrating a "Science on Display" theme throughout the space. 

Elements used in earning the Gold certifications included many of the following:

• optimized energy performance
• enhanced refrigerant performance
• thermal comfort design
• responsible construction waste management
• recycled content
• use of regional resources
• low-emitting (voc) construction materials
• development density and community connectivity
• public transportation access
• Water efficient landscaping