Newkirk Alumni Center attains top award for sustainable building

The Newkirk Alumni Center is the latest UC Irvine building to attain the top designation awarded by the US Green Building Council for sustainable building practices. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum status is earned by building projects that excel in the implementation of earth-friendly design, building materials, energy usage and building operation and maintenance efficiencies. The first floor of the facility offers a large conference room; a living-room-style den containing couches, a fireplace, a large-screen television and a display of UC Irvine memorabilia; and a cafe. The second floor houses staff offices, an executive boardroom, a smaller meeting room, and a mezzanine with access to a rooftop view of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.With the addition of the Newkirk Alumni Center, UC Irvine now has 13 LEED Platinum and eight LEED Gold buildings on campus.