Rochester Institute of Technology's new University Services Center has been certified LEED Platinum by the U.S. Green Building Council, achieving the highest level designation for building performance and sustainability. LEED certification provides third-party validation that a building's design incorporates strategies to improve performance across categories that include energy and water efficiency, use of local materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovative design processes. The three-story 54,000 square foot building features a circular, glass-enclosed Student Innovation Center. Sustainability highlights include a 48.6 percent energy cost reduction and 43 percent reduction in water usage, with 35 percent of the building's electricity supplied from renewable resources. This is the second RIT facility to achieve U.S. GBC certification. Last year, the University's Applied Science and Technology Building was designated LEED Gold -- the second highest level of achievement.
