Berea College
IN-26: Innovation C

Berea College prides itself on its sustainability culture. To this end, in 2015 Berea College completed Deep Green, a LEED Platinum and Living Building, and which at the time of LEED submission, scored the highest number of points for a building of its type in the world. Deep Green was designed from the initial stages in concert with many campus stakeholders including classes and regional professional firms to break all boundaries on building sustainability fronts. The 42,000-square foot dorm is three stories’ tall. It contains 66 rooms that can accommodate over 120 students. The key features that allowed it to achieve LEED included: 1) a large 50 KW Solar array covering most of the south facing roof, 2) a geothermal heat pump system for heating and cooling, 3) high efficiency plumbing fixtures, equipment and plug loads, 4) an innovative “smart thermal” envelope, 5) sustainable landscaping around the building 6) no “red list” building materials utilized and 7) 267 locally harvested handmade pieces of furniture by Berea College students and other wood details throughout the building. Altogether, along with other features, these details allowed this building to achieve LEED platinum status. Beyond this recognition, Berea College has utilized this building as a major center for tours for professionals from all over the region. These policymakers, teachers and professionals have been most interested in the comfort of the building along with the massive utilities savings of the building - 55% reduction in energy costs. As prices rise in Kentucky from their historically low levels, these community leaders are seeking solutions and Berea College’s Deep Green dormitory help set an example of what is