Patterson Hall has earned gold certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for its sustainable design after the four year, $57 million reconstruction.

The LEED program is sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council, the biggest sustainable design advocate in the United States. It promotes and acknowledges the use of environmentally friendly materials and designs.

LEED is the most common green building rating system in the world. The program uses a 100 point base score to award recognition from certified — 40-49 points — to platinum — 80 points and above. Gold certification requires 60-79 points.

Points are can be earned from six categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Design.

Patterson’s ecological construction and landscaping are primarily what earned the structure gold certification.

Other highlights of the remodel include an additional 34,000 square feet bringing the building to a total of more than 136,000 square feet and making it EWU’s largest academic building. It contains 44 classrooms, 180 workstations, two computer labs, a forensic lab, and office wings on three sides of the building. It is full of comfortable lounge seating for students and is surrounded by a glass facade that lets in ample natural light. The reconstruction also upgraded accommodations for students with special needs.

EWU’s University Recreation Center was also awarded LEED gold certification after its completion in 2008.