Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.87
Liaison Jessica Bast
Submission Date Jan. 5, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

North Carolina State University
OP-4: Building Design and Construction

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.29 / 3.00 Elizabeth Bowen
Energy and Green Building Fellow
University Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have any building space certified under the following green building rating systems for new construction and major renovations?:
Yes or No
LEED or another 4-tier rating system used by an Established Green Building Council (GBC) Yes
The DGNB system, Green Star, or another 3-tier GBC rating system No
BREEAM, CASBEE, or another 5-tier GBC rating system No
The Living Building Challenge No
Other non-GBC rating systems (e.g. BOMA BESt, Green Globes) No

A brief description of the green building rating system(s) used and/or a list of certified buildings and ratings:

There are several buildings on campus that have been certified under LEED for Building Design and Construction, versions 2.2 and 3. Below is a list of all the LEED Certified projects at NC State.

-The Student Health Center Addition- LEED Gold, Certified December 2011
-Sullivan Shops III- LEED Silver, Certified December 2011
-Eastern 4H Environmental Education and Conference Center- LEED Gold, Certified June 2013
-James B. Hunt Jr. Library- LEED Silver, Certified June 2013
-The Point (Chancellor's Residence)- LEED Homes/NAHB Silver, Certified July 2012
-Cates Utility Plant Renovation- LEED Silver, Certified June 2014
-Wolf Ridge at Centennial (six apartment buildings)- LEED Silver, Certified May 2015
-Yarborough Steam Plant Renovation- LEED Silver, Certified June 2014


Total floor area of eligible building space (design and construction):
638,481 Square feet

Floor area of building space that is certified at each level under a 4-tier rating system for new construction and major renovations used by an Established Green Building Council::
Certified Floor Area
Minimum Level (e.g. LEED Certified) 8,500 Square feet
3rd Highest Level (e.g. LEED Silver) 378,028 Square feet
2nd Highest Level (e.g. LEED Gold) 44,600 Square feet
Highest Achievable Level (e.g. LEED Platinum) 0 Square feet

Floor area of building space that is certified at each level under a 3-tier rating system for new construction and major renovations used by an Established Green Building Council::
Certified Floor Area
Minimum Level 0 Square feet
Mid-Level 0 Square feet
Highest Achievable Level 0 Square feet

Floor area of building space that is certified at each level under a 5-tier rating system for new construction and major renovations used by an Established Green Building Council::
Certified Floor Area
Minimum Level 0 Square feet
4th Highest Level 0 Square feet
Mid-Level 0 Square feet
2nd Highest Level 0 Square feet
Highest Achievable Level 0 Square feet

Floor area of building space certified Living under the Living Building Challenge:
0 Square feet

Floor area of building space that is certified at any level under other green building rating systems for new construction and major renovations:
0 Square feet

Floor area of building space that was designed and constructed in accordance with green building policies or guidelines but NOT certified:
0 Square feet

A copy of the guidelines or policies :
The date the guidelines or policies were adopted:
April 22, 2008

A brief description of the green building guidelines or policies and/or a list or sample of buildings covered:

A commitment was made in Spring of 2008 to build LEED Silver Standards on all new buildings over 20,000 GSF and major renovations with a replacement cost of over 50% their insurance value.

NC State has a tiered sustainability standard for all design and construction projects on campus. This standard is being integrated into contracts and training documents to ensure accountability.


A brief description of how the institution ensures compliance with green building design and construction guidelines and policies:

NC State strives to meet its goal of LEED Silver or higher for all new buildings over 20,000 square feet. The design team at NC State’s Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction Services, and Capital Project Management meet with the occupant of a new building to develop the Owner’s Project Requirements.

A team of design and construction professionals in the University has created guidelines for buildings less than 20,000 square feet. From a stair railing replacement, to the renovation of a building wing, the green building guidelines are flexible enough to have relevance for many types of projects.

There is a staff person with the responsibility to ensure this compliance. Also, project managers are expected to meet these contractual requirements.


The website URL where information about the institution’s certified buildings and/or green building design and construction guidelines or policies is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

There are multiple commitments that reinforce green building design and construction guidelines:

- SB 668 (energy and water reduction in state buildings)
- NC State's signature of the American University and College Climate Commitment and associated LEED Silver mandate
- NC State's Design and Construction Guidelines
- NC State's Sustainability Strategic Plan


There are multiple commitments that reinforce green building design and construction guidelines:

- SB 668 (energy and water reduction in state buildings)
- NC State's signature of the American University and College Climate Commitment and associated LEED Silver mandate
- NC State's Design and Construction Guidelines
- NC State's Sustainability Strategic Plan

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.