Liberal Arts building earns LEED Gold

NAU Liberal Arts building front entrance

Northern Arizona University’s Liberal Arts building has been awarded LEED Gold status from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Built in 1963, the building houses the departments of History and English as well as University Writing Programs. Renovations in 2011 included upgraded technology for each classroom, additional lecture rooms, a new cinema screening space, fire and safety upgrades and new HVAC and sprinkler systems.

To achieve a Gold LEED rating, the building incorporates many resource-saving technologies. The renovation used sustainable and recycled materials and was built to reduce the building’s impact through energy and water efficient technologies.

“Making our buildings more efficient and healthier for its occupants is a top priority here at NAU,” said Josh Spears, lead project manager. “Using our resources more efficiently through green building will protect ecosystems and biodiversity and improve air and water quality.”

The building becomes the ninth on the NAU Flagstaff campus to receive a LEED rating. In June, the Health and Learning Center received LEED Gold status.