The renovated historic Miller Hall at Western Washington University has been awarded gold LEED status by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The $51.5 million renovation project, funded by the state Legislature, incorporated a number of sustainable features, including a “green roof” over a new student study space built in the building’s existing courtyard. The roof is made of a mat system of sedum plants, which require little maintenance. The university said the roof will save on heating and cooling costs, provide better sound insulation and reduce stormwater runoff.

Dawson Construction on Bellingham was the project’s general contractor and project construction manager. The project team included: Mahlum Architects; Coughlin Porter Lundeen, a civil and structural engineering firm; CDI Engineers, a mechanical firm; Sparling, an electrical firm; and Berger Partnership, landscape architects.

LEED—Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design—certification is designed to provide independent verification that a building project is environmentally responsible and sustainable. The green building rating system certifications range from basic to silver, gold or platinum.