The University of Louisville‘s clinical and translational research building has received an environmental design award.

The $143mn eight-level building is expected to be the largest research building in the US to earn 41 LEED credits from US Green Building Council.

The 288,000ft² building has been funded by the state and was opened in October last year, according to University of Louisville.

The building uses natural light and features a reflective roof, which brings heating costs down. Special louvres and light shelves control the amount of sunlight that enters the building.