Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

New Kent State Academic Building Earns LEED Silver Certification

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/26/25

Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, recently announced that its newest academic building, Crawford Hall, has earned a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The facility was recognized for its innovative design, water conservation technologies, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable construction materials, among other features.

Crawford Hall opened in August 2024, stands four stories, and covers about 150,000 square feet. It serves as the home for the university’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship. It has also become the 16th LEED-certified building in the Kent State system, the news release reports.

“The LEED Silver certification for Crawford Hall recognizes the hard work and dedication by both our design and construction teams while underscoring our commitment to integrating high-performance building strategies into the infrastructure of Kent State’s campus,” said Jay Graham, Kent State University architect and executive director of facilities planning and design. “From optimized energy systems and water efficiency to locally sourced material selection and indoor environmental quality, this facility exemplifies our approach to operational efficiency and long-term value for the university.”

Sustainable features include high-efficiency HVAC and lighting systems; low-flow plumbing fixtures; using recycled and local building materials; amenities for bicycles and access to public transport; and use of natural daylighting, according to the news release.

The university partnered with Perkins&Will and The Collaborative for the building’s design.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • A digital silhouette works at a computer, immersed in a glowing, interconnected world

    How Will AI Transform Learning Space Design?

    For years, higher education has designed learning spaces around technology as a tool for display, capture, collaboration, and connectivity. AI changes that equation.

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.

  • New City School

    Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Transforming New City School

    When New City School in St. Louis suffered catastrophic flood damage in July 2022, the event could have marked a serious setback for the 100-year-old institution. Instead, it became a forward-looking opportunity.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.