Green, or environmental friendly building techniques, are what’s hot nationally and Metro Detroit is no exception.
Oak View Hall, Oakland University’s newest 500-bed student housing complex, has been certified an LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building. What’s even more exciting is that the building has Gold certification status, the second-highest level achievable.
To be LEED certified, building projects have to earn points based on their ability to save money and resources and have a positive impact on its residents. The project must also promote renewable, clean energy.
The Gold certification point range is between 60 and 79 out of a total possible 100. Oak View Hall scored 63 in green energy building categories. The LEED certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The residence hall, which was officially opened in August 2014, offers modern conveniences like bike racks, preferred parking for low-emission vehicles, and shielded light fixtures. It also has dual-flush toilets, low-flow bathroom fixtures, and a refrigerant management system that uses 18 percent less energy than a typical dorm building.
If that’s not cool enough, the project managers used about 15 percent recycled materials in the building, and they recycled over 95 percent of the construction waste.
Oak View Hall has also received the Masonry Institute of Michigan’s President Award for its use of masonry.