Downing Student Union: LEED Silver 

Renovation and expansion of the Downing Student Union earned Western Kentucky University a Silver LEED certification while also creating a space that was more conducive to student activities. One challenge to the project was keeping portions of the building open throughout the construction process. DSU gained an added square footage creating 250,000 of space to be used by students, faculty, and visitors.  Both structural and cosmetic changes were necessary to complete the two year-long project. Upon completion, the building earned a LEED Silver certification using the following strategies:

• complete update of the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and IT infrastructure
• modernization of the dining facilities
• modernization of offices
• improved water efficiency
• low emitting (VOC) construction materials
• white roof to decrease the heat island effect
• water bottle refilling stations
• automatic lighting for rooms unoccupied
• Energy efficient windows to include ventilation and passive solar heating

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Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center: LEED Certified

The Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center provides a space for alumni groups to meet, as well as displays life on the Hill throughout the decades with vintage WKU memorobilia. The building received a LEED certification due to all the energy saving measures and green measures used in the construction process. Although not a Gold or Silver certification, a LEED certification continues to show the commitment of Western Kentucky University becoming more of a sustainable environment each year.

 Features used in the Eva and Jim Martens Alumni Center include the following:

• sinks include low-flow faucets that help conserve water and save on power bills
• light bulbs are low- emitting to save energy
• windows are highly efficient, insulated, double-glazed panels in thermally broken clad wood frames
• recycled or reused construction materials
• high efficiency HVAC units
• public transportation access
• water efficient landscaping
• green power
• thermal comfort design
• innovation in design