The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded The Broad a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for LEED New Construction. The award recognizes The Broad’s energy-saving design and commitment to sustainable practices.

The Broad contemporary art museum was celebrated for its eco-friendly design. (photo courtesy of The Broad)

The Broad contemporary art museum, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, and built by MATT Construction, is one of only a handful of museums nationwide to achieve LEED Gold status. The Broad’s environmentally-friendly features include electric car charging stations, bike parking spaces, rooftop drains that filter runoff which is routed to street level gardens, and high-efficiency plumbing fixtures that reduce indoor water use by 40 percent. The Broad is also within close proximity to public transit and the new Metro Regional Connector station, which will open in 2021 at Second and Hope Streets.

“We are honored to be recognized for a commitment to sustainable practices, while ensuring the highest-quality environmental conditions for our art and an enjoyable viewing experience for our visitors,” said Joanne Heyler, founding director of The Broad.

The Broad, which was founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, opened in downtown Los Angeles last September. The 120,000-square-foot, three-story building includes 21,000-square-feet of collection space and 50,000 square feet of gallery space.

Additional environmentally-friendly amenities include the museum’s 35,000-square-foot third-floor gallery space, which was designed to provide ample lighting without using electric light. The structure itself – including the carefully calibrated veil structure and skylights – filters light, bringing natural light into the galleries in a controlled environment.

The museum also uses energy reduction and clean energy systems. Efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems save an estimated 18 percent on yearly energy costs. The Broad is located at 221 S. Grand Ave. For information, visit www.thebroad.org.