LEED Gold and WELL Platinum

In 2025, the Sidney Lu Mechanical Engineering Building renovation and expansion project was awarded LEED Gold certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence.

The building also achieved WELL certification at the Platinum level. Lu MEB is the first facility on any University of Illinois campus to attain WELL certification, underscoring MechSE's efforts to steward and promote wellness in the department. WELL certification is based on the 10 concepts developed by the International WELL Building Institute: Air, Community, Light, Materials, Mind, Movement, Nutrition, Sound, Thermal Comfort, Water, and WELL Innovations. 

Both recognitions were given for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions in areas including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality, and more. LEED- and WELL-certified buildings have been shown to operate more sustainably and give the people inside them a healthier, more comfortable space in which to work.

“LEED is a transformative tool that ensures a building is designed and operated to achieve high performance, improve human health, and protect the environment,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “By prioritizing sustainability, MechSE, with the Sidney Lu MEB, is leading the way in their industry and helping USGBC continue towards our goal of green buildings for everyone within this generation.” 

Led by architecture and engineering firm HED, the Lu MEB project was rooted in a vision that integrated sustainability, health, and adaptability into every design decision, structured around three main categories:

Environmental Performance and Energy Strategy

• Illinois' first installation of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glass, generating renewable energy
• Full mechanical system upgrade, improving indoor air quality and reducing the carbon footprint 
• Restoration of the historic façade, high-performance glazing on the windows, and insulation decreased energy use and improved thermal comfort, while respecting the building’s architectural heritage
• 45% energy savings (32% energy cost savings) from the ASHRAE 2010 baseline

Occupant Wellness and Biophilic Design

• Prioritization of daylight, natural materials, and biophilic patterns and textures
• Promotion of healthy lifestyles and movement and the connections between design, sustainability, and wellness
• Partnership with on-site Starbucks to promote health-conscious food choices

Sustainable Stewardship of Resources

• Leveraging and improving upon the building’s positive aspects, rather than abandoning an outdated facility
• Highly flexible areas and light-filled spaces for adaptability to pedagogy and integrative teaching