The College of Architecture and Environmental Design will hold a grand opening ceremony for its new building Friday.

Open to the public, the grand opening ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. in the Rockwell Hall parking lot. The lot will close at 11 a.m. and remain closed the rest of the day.

Lincoln Street between Main Street and College Avenue will close from 2 to 5 p.m.

This semester marks the first time in Kent State history that CAED is under one roof. The college was previously dispersed among Tri-Towers, Taylor Hall and the M.A.C.C. Annex.

Students and faculty have filled the halls of the new CAED building since the start of the semester.

Attendees will listen to Kent State President Beverly Warren and CAED Dean Mark Mistur as they talk about the building’s features and design. Tours of the 117,00 square-foot building and refreshments will also be available.

Construction on the new building began in November 2014.

The center is waiting for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum rating by the U.S. Green Building Council. This will make the new building one of the largest in Ohio to reach this high standard.

Stephanie Rosso is the architecture/environmental design reporter, contact her at [email protected].