Carmichael Gym Renovation Achieves LEED Silver

NC State’s renovation and addition of Carmichael Gymnasium has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Silver level.

This certification, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council in September 2022, is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

The project includes 82,800-square-foot of new space as part of a 430,000-square-foot complex that represents the holistic approach to well-being, recreation, fitness and physical education by NC State Wellness and Recreation.

Much of the building’s design is attributed to student input, including a functional training area that allows users to bring the outside in via a rooftop terrace and a teaching kitchen to educate users on healthy cooking.

Other sustainability features of the facility include:

  • Generous amounts of daylight are utilized throughout the building, increasing productivity, comfort and well-being of occupants while also requiring less electricity for lighting.
  • Rainwater management measures reduce the impact of runoff.
  • Indoor and outdoor water use is reduced through high-efficiency plumbing features.
  • Native landscaping plants reduce the need for irrigation while reestablishing habitat for wildlife.
  • The proximity of the new Wellness and Recreation Center and Carmichael Gym to Talley Student Union, Reynolds Coliseum and Dail Softball Stadium makes this area a focus for both campus and public transportation systems.
  • Infrastructure to support biking and alternative modes of transportation are available to reduce automotive use.
  • Occupants have access to a paved nature path behind the building as well as Miller Fields, a large open outdoor space next to the building.
  • High-efficiency HVAC systems service the building and use refrigerants that don’t contribute to ozone depletion.
  • A wide array of exterior and interior environmentally responsible materials have been utilized.
  • The building meets indoor air quality standards through the use of low-emitting construction materials, as well as room-level air quality sensors for continuous monitoring.
  • Occupants have access to recycling and composting collection bins throughout the building.
  • The building is cleaned by University Housekeeping, which is Green Seal-certified for environmentally-friendly cleaning practices.

Learn more about NC State’s built environment and its commitment to sustainability at sustainability.ncsu.edu/campus/buildings.