Montana State University residence hall receives LEED Gold certification

Montana State University’s Yellowstone Hall in Bozeman, Montana, received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, a report by American School and University magazine says. The $34.5 million hall opened in 2016.

It’s the first freshman residence hall built at the university in half a century. According to the report, 96 percent of construction debris was diverted from landfill during the building process. Other energy-saving elements include a solar wall to preheat hot water and lower the university’s utility bill, along with:

• Recycling 12 percent of the total building materials;
• Reducing water use in the building by 42 percent;
• Covered bicycle storage facilities;
• More than 30 percent in energy cost savings; and
• Using 23 percent regional materials for the construction of the building.

Cost of construction will be repaid with revenues from student housing fees, the report says. SMA Architects, Bozeman, Montana, and NAC Architecture, Los Angeles, designed the building. Langlas and Associates, Bozeman, Montana, was the contractor.