The Fites Engineering Innovation Center is one of only five buildings in Indiana, and the only higher education building in the state, to receive LEED Platinum certification. It is also one of only 1,026 LEED Platinum-certified buildings around the world.
The certification was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impacted the project itself and the broader community.
These features include: power partially generated by high-efficiency solar panels; lighting, heating and cooling controlled by occupancy sensors; water savings from waterless and low-flow fixtures; underground infiltrators and surface rain garden for storm water runoff; zero-maintenance landscaping with drought-tolerant native Indiana prairie grasses; and use of recycled materials.
By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.
