That's gold, Moffett! Gold!

Radford University's Moffett Hall has been granted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Moffett joins Jefferson and Madison, the RU residence halls that received LEED Gold status in November 2012 and January 2013, respectively.

LEED is a voluntary program that provides verification of green buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council. According to the USGBC, LEED-certified buildings lower operating costs, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste sent to landfills, are healthier for occupants and conserve energy and water.

"It's a pleasure to work for an institution that embraces sustainability," said Paul Ely, RU's capital outlay project manager. "More importantly, we are educating our future leaders by example. They are living in a sustainably renovated residence hall."

Newly renovated for fall 2012, Moffett Hall primarily houses upperclassmen and is co-ed by alternating rooms that feature individual bathrooms. Moffett houses approximately 350 students. 

All RU renovations are designed with sustainability in mind. Existing doors were reused when possible; low-flow toilet fixtures and shower heads were installed in all bathrooms; and bamboo, a rapidly renewable wood, was used for lounge flooring.

"As a signatory of the Presidents' Climate Commitment, RU committed that all new and major renovation capital projects will achieve LEED-Silver or higher certification by the U.S. Green Building Council," said RU Sustainability Coordinator Julio Stephens. "It's great that RU is not only following through on that part of the commitment, but exceeding three times already with the third LEED-Gold certified project."