Jacobs Hall, home of the Institute for Design Innovation, has a new major designation: Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program, the highest level of certification possible.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, scores buildings on how well they meet various measures of sustainability. Jacobs Hall had a mission to re-energize design and manufacturing innovation at a national level and became one of the few in the state to achieve Platinum status.

Indoor water use is 40 percent below the LEED baseline. Outside, roof runoff is absorbed by filtering rain gardens. Drought-tolerant landscaping reduces irrigation needs by 50 percent.Not only do LEED buildings reduce greenhouse gas emissions; they also save money. In its first five months of operation, Jacobs Hall used 65 percent less energy compared to conventional buildings — a savings of $41,000.

Pan-Pacific Mechanical was responsible for the domestic plumbing systems, such as domestic hot & cold, sanitary waste & vent, storm drain, irrigation, gas and all related equipment.