Campus Life

Intramural Building Phase 3 earns LEED Silver certification for improvements

The Intramural (IM) Building on Penn State's University Park campus. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Intramural (IM) Building Phase 3 renovation has earned LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

IM Phase 3 renovation improvements and additions, which helped secure LEED Silver certification, include a reduction in potable water use, energy costs savings, diversion of on-site generated construction waste from landfill, and use of recycled materials as well as materials sourced within 500 miles of campus.

Some of the features within the renovation that helped the Phase 3 project achieve LEED Silver certification include:

  • A hybrid ventilation system that opens windows and turns off the main mechanical system when outdoor conditions allow to conserve energy
  • High-efficiency ceiling fans to support the hybrid ventilation system
  • Integrated building automation controls
  • LED lighting and daylight monitors
  • Exterior vertical and horizontal solar shading devices to reduce heat gain and interior glare
  • A light-color roof with a solar reflectance index of less than 80 to help reduce the “heat island effect” on campus
  • A green education program throughout the facility, highlighting green building strategies and benefits

The Phase 3 renovation, which opened to campus during the fall of 2017, rounded out a three-phase process that began in May 2014. The first phase brought updated locker rooms, a new fitness center and offices for Campus Recreation staff, to the project. Phase 2 included updating gym spaces and extending and improving the indoor running track. Phase 3 boasts an indoor climbing wall, a wellness suite, an indoor turf field and other multipurpose rooms throughout the facility.

To earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation, facilities must meet requirements across a series of measurements, including location and transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material and resources, indoor environmental quality, and regional priority credits.

Last Updated May 3, 2018

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