Green Commerical Buildings Offer Best Practices for Sustainability

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Green Commercial Buildings Offer Best Practices for Sustainability

Towson, Md. (May 13, 2009)—Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith joined members of the County's Sustainability Network and Department of Economic Development to tour two of the County's newest green buildings, seeing first-hand how developers and companies are incorporating sustainable features into their buildings. The tour visited Merritt Properties' Schilling Green in Hunt Valley and the new KCI Technologies corporate headquarters in Sparks. Both buildings have applied for U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification, which when awarded at the silver level or higher will make the property owners eligible for Baltimore County Green Building tax credits. As of May 2009, thirty six Baltimore County commercial buildings have registered for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

"Baltimore County has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions ten percent by 2012," stated Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. "If we each adopt some of the features of these commercial buildings in our homes, businesses and government facilities, we'll go a long way toward meeting that goal."

In Merritt Properties' Schilling Green, energy consumption is decreased by at least thirteen percent by using insulation with a greater R value, building with low-e glass, and choosing an energy efficient boiler and high performance lighting. Water efficient fixtures such as dual flush toilets, water free urinals and self metering faucets lessen the burden on the municipal water supply by approximately 40%. Additional features include preferred parking spaces for hybrid vehicles, green housekeeping, and a growing green roof.

KCI Technologies' new corporate headquarters in Sparks features motion detectors that activate interior lights only when needed. The building’s green roof is made of a white solar-reflecting surface that reduces the heat island effect during summer months. Key building materials such as tile flooring, carpet and office cubicles contain significant recycled content. Restroom countertops were made locally of a recycled surface material composed of post-industrial aluminum scrap waste. KCI’s site engineers incorporated water-efficient landscaping that requires only rainwater, and trees were selected to ensure that the parking lot is shaded within five years.

Learn more about the Baltimore County's Green Building Tax Credit