The three-story, 42,000-square-foot building referred to as the "Deep Green Residence Hall" will offer 66 rooms to accommodate 120 students. The hall is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the highest rating for sustainable design and construction is due to complete by August 2013 .

Notable green features of the building include: rooftop solar photovoltaic and solar thermal (hot water) systems to meet 14 percent of the building's energy needs; an ultra-efficient geothermal heat pump recirculation system; active daytime and high efficiency lighting; a highly insulated state-of-the-art building envelope; a 100 percent recycled content brick exterior; low-flow water fixtures; operational windows for natural ventilation throughout; and real-time monitoring of energy consumption via a special building dashboard. The site also will utilize rain gardens, bio-retention ponds and pervious concrete to help manage storm water runoff.

The use of reclaimed and locally-sourced materials will add to the sustainability of the property.

Messer previously worked with Berea College on Lincoln Hall, the first LEED certified building in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Read more: (Berea College) http://bit.ly/JGjZvj and (The Richmond Register) http://bit.ly/JNdHf0 and (World Interior Design Network) http://bit.ly/I1kJcC