Duke Kunshan University has achieved prestigious dual certifications for its commitment to sustainability, earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum and Gold ratings for its campus operations and maintenance.
The university’s Visitor Center and Administration Building received LEED Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Platinum certifications, whereas the Library, Student Residence, and Sports Complex were awarded Gold certifications. Notably, the Visitor Center secured dual Platinum certification and was recognized as the “Sustainable Leader of 2024” under USGBC’s “Leadership Campaign: Frontiers.”
Those buildings were reassessed for LEED Operations and Maintenance (O+M) certifications after previously achieving LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) certification. As the first LEED-certified university campus in China, DKU’s recognition underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship.
The reassessment demonstrated that these facilities not only upheld but surpassed the sustainability benchmarks established during their construction. LEED, a globally recognized framework developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), assesses buildings that have been operational for at least a year.
Since opening its Phase II campus in 2023, DKU has submitted operational data to the USGBC, including metrics on energy and water usage, waste management, air quality, and green management policies.
Established in 2013 as a partnership between Duke University, Wuhan University, and the Kunshan Municipal Government, DKU has grown significantly since its first construction phase in 2010. Phase II, completed in 2023, tripled the campus’s size while integrating with existing facilities, including the sports complex featuring a swimming pool, basketball courts, taekwondo, and squash halls.
