Davidson Hall is approximately 26,000 square feet, with 18,000 square-feet qualifying as a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Tornado Safe Room that can hold 3,200 people and withstand an F5 tornado with 250 mph winds. Research by Project Architect Brad Erwin; found it may be the first LEED Certified Gold FEMA 361 Tornado Safe Room / Tornado Shelter in the nation.

Gaining the LEED Gold certification for Davidson Hall was based on a number of green designs and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include:

• Alternative Transportation: Bicycle storage, low-emitting vehicles, parking capacity

• Site Development: Protect habitat, maximize open space 50% of site restored to native planting

• Stormwater Management Captures & Treats stormwater runoff from 90% of average annual rainfall

• Water Efficiency: Landscape, Use reduction (reduced water use by over 42%)

• Optimize Energy Performance – 30% energy cost savings

• Construction Waste Management - 82% of construction waste diverted from landfills

• Recycled Content – 23% of total building materials were manufactured by using recycled products

• Regional Material - 30% of building material was extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of Crowder College

• Certified Wood – 89% of total wood based building materials harvested from FSC certified forests

• Low Emitting Materials used throughout the building

“The strength of USGBC has always been the collective strength of our leaders in the building industry," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role of the building industry in that effort, Crowder College demonstrates their leadership through their LEED certification of Davidson Hall.”

For an article about the dedication go here.

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