The conversion of a former residence hall into office and classroom space at South Dakota State University has received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council
The university says Harding Hall, a former men’s residence hall on the Brookings campus, was transformed into 40 offices and two classrooms as the home of the Ness School of Management and Economics.
The renovation, completed in 2018, significantly upgraded Harding Hall’s energy efficiency. The facility is now 13% more energy efficient than the contemporary industry standard.
Reusing an existing building helped reduce the project’s life-cycle impact. The renovation reused 75% of the existing materials in the building, which extended the useful life of existing materials, averted landfill waste and reduced the need for new materials.
“Green buildings allow South Dakota State University to operate more sustainably and give students, faculty and staff a healthier, more comfortable space to work and live," says said Jonathan Meendering, a project architect with Facilities and Services.ability,”
In addition to building LEED-certified facilities, South Dakota State is keeping its energy costs in check with more efficient chiller plants, boiler plants, ventilation systems, lighting upgrades and solar panels.
