Applied Research and Development

Northern Arizona University opened the Applied Research and Development (ARD) building, the greenest in Arizona, in 2007. It is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum-certified building, one of only twelve in the world. Its energy-saving features include the use of recycled materials--including thousands of pair of blue jeans used for insulation--solar panels and a wind generator for power, a green roof, natural lighting, and a basin to catch rainwater runoff. The university intended the ARD building to replace chemistry and biology teaching labs but instead it is now home to administrative and research offices. The building garnered national attention in 2007 when it housed a major research center for the anthrax letter associated with the September 11th terrorist attacks.