Georgia Tech's North Avenue Apartments (NAA), once home to medal-winners from around the world during Atlanta's 1996 Olympic games, now bears a gold medal status of its own. The NAA is the latest and first residence hall to make the Institute's list of LEED Gold-certified buildings, as deemed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

The process for earning Gold certification for the 2,000-bed student apartment community began in November 2007. As of 2009, all new buildings and renovations on Tech's campus are built to LEED gold specifications, but must be reviewed and approved by the USGBC to become certified. The Institute uses the LEED system as a way to operate its buildings efficiently and to result in healthier environments for students, faculty and staff. 

To earn LEED certification as a new building, renovation or retrofit, the project must meet requirements in six categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. The Institute also follows guidelines outlined by its Yellow Book, one of the most advanced and forward-thinking documents in the college and university arena for environmental stewardship, sustainable design and energy management. 

The North Avenue Apartments earned LEED Gold for Existing Buildings (EB) Operations and Maintenance (O&M).

"We are particularly proud of the fact that this is the largest university housing complex in the world to achieve the LEED EB O&M certification," said Fran Gillis, senior director of housing facilities.