Alban Engineering is very proud to announce that Bay Brook Elementary/Middle School has been awarded LEED Gold, registered by the U.S. Green Building Council. Alban Engineering performed the MEP and lighting design for this replacement school in Baltimore City, MD. Bay Brook Elementary/Middle School earned 62 points within the LEED for Schools v2009 rating system, which is enough points to achieve a certification level of LEED Gold. Various innovative green strategies were implemented at Bay Brook Elementary/Middle School, with many quantifiable green achievements.
The LEED for Schools rating system encourages and guides the design, construction, renovation, and operating of educational facilities that are environmentally sustainable, socially responsible, and altogether healthier and more vibrant spaces for living and learning.
Bay Brook Benefits
Bay Brook Elementary/Middle School is a new, 115,945 square foot, $33,500,000, 800 student facility designed to promote interactive and flexible learning environments, integrate security measures and increased visibility, enhance accessibility and life-safety, incorporate sustainable materials and practices, and provide educational opportunities during both school and non-school hours. Each floor of the 3-story building houses 3 classroom wings.
All three classroom wings, P-K through 2nd grade, 3rd through 5th grade and 6th through 8th grade, contain dedicated Collaborative Learning Areas which are centralized to make the spaces open and easily accessible. Larger core-curriculum spaces consisting of the Cafeteria/Dining, Media Center, Administration, Gymnasium, and Community Space are located first floor. Write up of Bay Brook provided by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates – Architects.
Innovative Green Strategies
What specific strategies were implemented at Bay Brook, may you ask?
During design –
- Site design prioritized the incorporation of extensive outdoor open spaces – especially green, vegetated spaces
- An easily-accessible, dedicated area for the collection and storage of recycling was incorporated into the building design
- To reduce Bay Brooks contribution to Baltimore’s heat island effect, a high quantity of light-colored, reflective materials was selected for the schools roofing and hardscapes
During Construction –
- The creation and implementation of an erosion and sediment control plan protected the surrounding waterways from inadvertent pollution
- The enactment of an indoor air quality management plan helped to secure the health and safety of construction workers and future occupants
- An experienced commissioning authority ensured that energy and water systems were installed and operating as designed
Quantifiable Green Achievements
- 38% – Through the installation of efficient water fixtures, Bay Brook achieved a 38% reduction in water use compared to a typical building of similar design on an annual basis
- 39% – Due to the optimization of its HVAC system and lighting equipment, Bay Brook achieved a 39% energy use reduction on an annual cost basis compared to a typical baseline building of a similar design
- 83% – The percentage of demolition and construction debris was diverted from disposal in landfill through either recycling or salvaging
- 17% – The percentage of the projects total materials cost was spent on building materials with recycled content
- 23% – To cut down on needless transport emissions. 23% of the projects total materials cost was spent on building materials that were extracted/harvested and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site
Part of a Bigger Picture
Bay-Brook Elementary/Middle School is part of the 21st Century School Buildings Program which, through legislation, creates a partnership between the City of Baltimore, Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, Inter-agency Committee on School Construction and the Maryland Stadium Authority. The partnership leveraged $60M dollars into bond money to support school renovation and replacement projects.
To see the full write up of Bay Brook provided by Alban Engineering, CLICK HERE.
