Two of Daemen's buildings, the Research and Information Commons (RIC) and the Visual and Performing Arts Center, have received LEED Gold certification for their design and construction. These awards recognize the innovative strategies used in these buildings to conserve energy, create welcoming spaces, and minimize negative environmental impacts. For example, the RIC was designed with a south-facing facade to allow winter sun to help warm the building, but shade the interior from the heat of summer sun. Students in the Green Buildings Course are using several building science instruments to investigate whether the buildings are functioning as designed.