Clemson University’s Lee Hall expansion project is awarded LEED Gold certification
Published: October 29, 2012
By Kelly Borglum
CLEMSON — Clemson University’s Lee Hall III academic building has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Lee III, completed in April of this year, is a 56,000-square-foot expansion of the original Lee Hall, which is the academic home of the School of Design and Building and the department of art.
The $31.6 million restoration and new construction project is part of the university’s commitment to create more energy-efficient buildings. In alignment with Clemson University’s goal of reducing energy consumption 20 percent by 2020, Lee III is zero energy-ready, designed to offset its energy expenditure by producing as much energy as it consumes.
“We call Lee Hall the building that teaches,” said Clemson President James F. Barker. “It is significant that our students will study sustainable design in a building that symbolizes Clemson University’s commitment to sustainability. It is a welcome and beautiful addition to our campus.”
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification accredits buildings that exhibit outstanding sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy efficiency, resource selection and indoor environmental quality.
The Lee III expansion project was a joint effort by Clemson alumnus Thomas Phifer (’75, ’77) of Thomas Phifer and Partners of New York City, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture of Greenville and Holder Construction of Atlanta.
Lee III was designed to teach sustainability by example, making use of lighting and energy efficiency, ventilation technology and resourceful materials selection. An energy dashboard installed in the building provides real-time data on temperature and humidity levels, as well as energy and water use.
Monitors in the building indicate when outside conditions are favorable to natural ventilation provided through windows. Mechanical windows open and shut automatically when temperature and humidity reach threshold levels. Geothermal wells provide cooling and heating for the building, allowing it to operate separately from the campus energy plant. Skylights and window walls provide natural light during daytime hours, limiting the need for artificial lighting.
Construction materials used in the building are high in recycled content; some were manufactured from resources close to campus. The indoor finish materials, such as paints and sealants, were selected to provide a high level of healthful indoor air quality.
Lee III is the 11th Clemson project to receive LEED certification and its seventh LEED Gold building. It is the first LEED Gold certification for Clemson under the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Version 3” rating system, which features significantly more stringent requirements for energy reduction than the earlier system.
The Clemson University board of trustees in 2004 adopted a policy that all buildings newly constructed or substantially renovated should be designed to meet at least LEED Silver standards.
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