The U.S. Green Building Council recently awarded the EYP-designed renovation of the University of New Hampshire's historic James Hall, on the Durham campus, with LEED Gold certification. The $34.2 million renovation and expansion is the first LEED certified building on the UNH campus.

In a statement released by the University of New Hampshire's media relations department, Joe Klewicki, the dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at UNH commented, "James Hall has taken the University's commitment to sustainability one step further. I am proud that it will be the first academic building in our university system to obtain LEED certification for its environmentally responsible use of materials and its efficient energy and water systems."

Added Jon Wraith, associate dean of the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, "This outstanding new facility is consistent with our historic underlying commitment to principles of resource conservation, sustainability, and science-based ecosystem management. It will provide a wonderful foundation from which to advance our teaching, research, and outreach programs as we literally and figuratively build for the future."

During the renovation, important historic architectural elements of the building were protected and restored, maintaining the character of the existing buildings. Sustainable innovations in James Hall include a gray water system that captures rainwater from the building's roof and gutters, daylight harvesting and lighting sensors, an experimental green roof, and a heat wheel recovery system to maximize efficiency of the air- handling unit.

More than 75% of existing exterior walls, floors, and the roof were reused, saving energy from harvesting and manufacturing materials; over 30% of materials consisted of recycled content; and additionally, more than 30% of the materials used were extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the site, therefore reducing emissions affecting the atmosphere from vehicular transportation.

The renovated facility currently houses the UNH departments of Earth Sciences and Natural Resources and the Environment.