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What Is the Green Building?
The Green Building is a project of University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The Green Building:
- will serve as a model of sustainable and energy-neutral living.
- will be the first LEED ® certified green building on Land Grant University research farm. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a national standard for developing high performance, sustainable buildings set forth by the United States Green Building Council.
- will house Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station headquarters; the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center, Commercial & Environmental Horticulture; Howard County Extension office; and Maryland Master Gardener, Bay-Wise Landscaping and 4-H Youth Equine programs.
- will provide research facilities for college faculty and graduate students, and offer undergraduate students unparalleled educational opportunities.
The preliminary design includes:
- "green" roofs covered in vegetation;
- active and passive solar strategies;
- water-pervious surfaces in parking lots to reduce runoff;
- a silo wind turbine to generate energy for the building;
- a living machine that biologically treats waste and waste water;
- light tubes that channel natural light into the building, reducing energy usage; and
- rain collection systems that conserve and recycle water for cooling the building and irrigation.
Environmental Benefits of the Green Building
- Holistic, integrative design where the building becomes one with the site – catches sun for heat and to generate electricity, naturally cooled, healthy interior, saves money on energy costs.
- Living Machine/greenhouse in the grand entry that is a mini-ecosystem for biological treatment of waste waters
- Landscaping that compliments topography to naturally block winter winds, channel summer breezes over collected rain water for cooling effect, and to shade direct summer sun.
- Rain collection systems channel water from upland areas such as parking lots with pervious surfaces. Water is recycled and used for various purposes such as cooling the building and watering gardens.
- Living roof planted with drought and heat tolerant plant species that will reduce runoff from conventional impervious roof surfaces, reduce heat radiated back into the atmosphere, reduce light pollution, and generate oxygen.
- Silo wind turbine for generating energy
Positive Effects of a Green Building
Building will highlight features that benefit the environment through sustainable practices but also benefit the occupants by creating healthier environments. See how these features can be implemented in your residence!
- Light tubes channel natural light into offices, reducing use of electricity
- Interior courtyard will provide additional natural light into office space
- Use of energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems will meet strict environmental standards and will be monitored 24/7 to ensure effective operation
- Building materials from recycled & sustainable sources will reduce waste and conserve energy
- Use of low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in furniture, carpeting, paint, and cleaning products create a healthier work environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Green roofs and water pervious surfaces, such as parking lots, in combination with water collection systems, will reduce water consumption inside and outside the building and reduce runoff into the Chesapeake Bay
What does it mean to be green?
- A green building
- Uses less energy
- Uses less water and natural resources
- Creates less waste
- Is healthier for the people inside—toxin-free building materials will result in fewer mold & mildew problems; natural ventilation will produce fresh air & better air circulation
Incentives for going green
- Through the Energy policy Act of 2005, the U.S. government offers several tax breaks, including the ENERGY STAR® program
- Cost efficiency
- 30% reduction in energy costs
- 35% reduction in carbon savings
- 30-50% reduction in water use
- 50-90% reduction of waste
- Increased value
- Market demand for green buildings continue to rise
- Costs less to insure a green building
- Green buildings are more durable
- Although upfront costs are higher, net cost of green building less than standard building.
- It is the environmentally responsible thing to do! As the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, we need to take action to protect and restore our natural resources, not just tell other people how THEY should change their habits! We should set an example of environmental responsibility in the way we live and carry out our mission. The Green Building will be a major factor in living up to that mission.
Access the U.S. Green Building Council’s “The Green Home Guide”
Want to learn more about this project? Contact Ria Malloy at mmalloy@umd.edu or 410.531.5556. Come back and visit this website in February as we add information about eco-friendly practices and this project in particular.
The Green Building Presentation (pdf file) contains more information along with sketches of a preliminary design of the building.
For more information, contact Ria Malloy
Last updated: 03/10/2009