UT has received the Green Light Award from the East Tennessee chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Green Light Award is the highest award given to an organization for advancing sustainability through green building practices and design.
Dave Irvin, associate vice chancellor for Facilities Services, accepted the award at the organization’s annual awards ceremony last week.
The USGBC recognized UT’s commitment to the environment and the 2007 signing of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. The university’s commitment to new buildings being constructed to meet LEED standards has made a significant impact on campus sustainability. Recent projects include Ayres Hall, which was renovated to become a LEED Silver certified building; the Min H. Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building; and the Student Health Building.
The council also noted the university’s master plan, which requires that all large-scale projects follow sustainable design and building guidelines. Also lauded were UT’s innovative educational projects like the New Norris House and the Living Light house, which was constructed for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon held in 2011.
The Ayres Hall renovation project also received an honorable mention in the Green Project Student’s Choice category.