The University of Iowa College of Public Health Building recently received a LEED Platinum certification — the UI’s first academic building to achieve platinum status.

“The Platinum LEED designation recognizes the truly exceptional architectural, design, and engineering work that went into this facility,” Sue Curry, the dean of the College of Public Health, said in a press release. “It also reflects the proven connection between the environment and public health, as well as our commitment to innovation and best practices to make our college and university responsible stewards of natural resources.”

Several of the building’s environmental features include:

UI President Sally Mason told *The Daily Iowan* earlier this month that she was proud of the college’s status as the first academic building with a LEED Platinum certification.

“We were thrilled to learn that the College of Public Health achieved LEED platinum status," she said in an interview. “That is very exciting — that is our first on campus, our first academic building.”

The UI public-health school opened in 1999, but classes were scattered throughout campus until its own building at opened in January 2012. Officials dedicated the $48 million facility in April 2012.