A LEED Gold energy research building at The University of Kentucky (UK) has been declared open. The 43,000 sq ft volume was funded by $11.8million in federal funds, $3.5million from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, $1.9million from the University itself and $3.5million from the Department of Energy Development and Independence to ensure that sustainable design features were incorporated into the concept.

Steve Beshear, Kentucky Governor explains: “It makes good sense for all buildings not just those devoted to energy research to be as energy-efficient as possible. Smart energy usage in buildings saves money and resources. Most importantly, the people inside this building are performing critical work in advanced energy research. Their efforts will undoubtedly impact Kentucky’s future in energy innovation.”

As well as providing a base for research into renewable energy, the design for the UK Energy Research Building is highly sustainable, with an exterior and roof with twice the amount of insulation normally used and windows with a nanogel material that diffuses sunlight and provides the same insulation as brick walls.