Cleveland State University’s engineering building, Washkewicz Hall, recently received Gold certification as a “green building” from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. 

Washkewicz Hall is the sixth CSU building to receive certification from LEED, the largest and most widely used green building certification organization in the world. Along with Julka Hall of the College of Education and Human Services, Washkewicz Hall is the second building on CSU’s campus to receive Gold certification.

As a rating system developed by the United States Green Building Council, LEED represents the highest levels of environmental consciousness in building. In a recent press release, USGBC President and CEO Mahesh Ramanujam expressed his pride in Cleveland State’s latest certification. 

“LEED was created to make the world a better place and revolutionize our buildings and communities by providing everyone with access to healthy, green and high performing buildings,” Ramanujam said. “Cleveland State’s most recent certification is a prime example of how the innovative work of project teams can create local solutions that contribute to making a global difference."

Completed in 2017, Washkewicz Hall contains multiple sustainable and environmentally conscious facilities which aided in its certification. These facilities include low-flow faucets and sinks, a light-colored roof in order to reflect heat and low-VOC materials to improve building air quality.

In Cleveland State’s press release on Washkewicz Hall’s award, CSU Director of Sustainability Jennifer McMillin stated that LEED Gold certification was the goal of her project.

“The team set out with the goal of achieving LEED Gold certification, so knowing that the process of design and construction reached that ambitious target is very exciting,” McMillin said.

“As an institution of higher education, CSU has an opportunity to educate students about environmental sustainability both in the classroom and in the campus environment," she continued. "Designing and operating green buildings is one of our opportunities to demonstrate our commitment to energy and water conservation.”

As Cleveland State’s sustainability efforts continue, the university currently has no plans for construction in the near future. However, McMillin noted that LEED Silver certification is a minimum requirement for any new buildings constructed on campus.