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

  • College of the Mainland Starts Construction on New Library & Learning Center

    College of the Mainland in Texas City, Texas, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Library & Learning Center, according to a news release. The new facility is part of a larger, $250-million campus expansion project funded by a 2023 bond program.

  • University of Kentucky Sees Positive Results from Energy Efficiency Program

    The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently announced the results of its Energy Program in Facilities Management, put into place eight years ago, according to a news release. Between the fiscal years of 2017 and 2025, the university’s campus grew by 13.6% while the energy use per square foot dropped by 19.2%.

  • Texas A&M Adds ALPR Technology to Parking Solutions

    Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently integrated automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology into its parking services and enforcement strategies, according to a news release. The university’s Transportation Services division deployed Genetec AutoVu ALPR to manage the campus’ 36,000+ parking spaces.

  • Washington University School of Medicine Completes $165M Expansion Project

    The Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo., recently completed a vertical expansion of its Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health (BJCIH), according to a news release. The university partnered with Lawrence Group for the design of the six-floor addition, which cost about $165 million.

Digital Edition