ORAU’s Center for Science Education

The First New Office Building in Tennessee to Become LEED Certified to the Gold Level in the New Construction Category

Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ (ORAU) new Center for Science Education (CSE) building, located in the heart of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is LEED certified to the Gold level from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Achieving this standard reflects how ORAU is part of the vanguard of corporations dedicated to superlative environmental stewardship and the promotion of a healthful, comfortable and convenient work environment for the CSE facility’s occupants.

The distinction of LEED certification is fitting for the CSE, which houses a state-of-the-art classroom for teachers and students to communicate directly with researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance, sustainable buildings.

The CSE efficiently uses resources—energy, water and materials—while minimizing the building’s effects on human health and the environment, and promoting economic performance. This sustainability is achieved through site choice, design, construction, operation and maintenance that exceed those of normal, “built to code” buildings.

The LEED Difference is in the Details

Community Connectivity
Urban Oak Ridge location, within one-half mile of many community and retail services, residential areas and a park

View the Example Gallery for images and information on the sustainable characteristics of the CSE building.