The University of Colorado at Boulder will host a rededication for the newly renovated Arnett Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 28, beginning at 3:30 p.m. The renovation allowed the outdated residence hall to gain LEED certification and become a "green" residence hall.
The new facility will offer energy-saving features such as "smart" heaters that shut off when windows are opened, double-pane windows, energy-efficient lighting, dual flush toilets and low-flow shower heads, said Kambiz Khalili, interim executive director of Housing and Dining Services. These features will help reduce Arnett Hall's energy cost by 20 percent and its water usage by 40 percent.
"Arnett Hall is the first renovated LEED-certified residence hall on campus," said Khalili. "It is also the first residence hall to be retrofitted to advance our Flagship 2030 goal of creating Residential Colleges that combine academic experiences with our traditional quality living arrangements."
The LEED program is considered the U.S. benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
The rededication ceremony will include a speech by CU-Boulder Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson, music performed by Arnett Hall residents and tours of the residence hall.
The Arnett project is the first of four renovations planned in Kittredge Commons. Andrews Hall is currently under construction and construction on Buckingham Hall is expected to begin by spring 2009. An addition to Smith Hall also is being proposed in order to add 130 beds to accommodate additional freshmen.