Chesapeake Bay Foundation Headquarters--Model for Sustainability
On the Eastern Shore of Maryland near Salisbury sits a 32,000-square-foot office building that has proven to be a gem of sustainability. This is the headquarters for the largest regional nonprofit environmental organization, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, called the Marrill Environmental Center.
The structure employs:
• Solar panels
• Natural ventilation
• Geothermal heat pump
• Desiccant dehumidification system (desiccants are materials that attract and hold moisture, and desiccant air-conditioning systems provide a method of drying air before it enters a conditioned space)
• Roof and walls built from structurally insulated panels, which consist of two outer skins filled with an insulated core, forming a monolithic unit
• Galvanized siding consisting of recycled cans, cars and other objects
The building brings together multiple techniques in sustainability to create a structure that uses 70% less energy than a typical office building. This design by the Smith Group has resulted in one of only some 30 buildings that can claim LEED Platinum status. Further proof that sustainability works best from the design phase through execution, and that it will positively impact your bottom line.
Check it out when you’re in Maryland on your way to the beach.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
