Award of Excellence
Best Sustainable Project

Project Team

Stonebridge - (Developer)
Bozzuto - (Developer)
Montogomery County - (Owner)
Gensler - (Architect)
Clark Construction - (General Contractor)
Oculus - (Landscape)
Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission - (Owner)
O'C&L - (Owner/County Project Manager)

Project Description

Montgomery County had been focused on revitalizing the core of its Wheaton CBD for years. After many failures, this P3 team has been able to realize the dreams of launching Wheaton forward. In doing do, it also launched one of the state’s most advanced sustainable buildings and Town Square that will stimulate future development in Wheaton. The financial success of this P3 development was rivaled by both the design and sustainability goals success.

As the planning agency for the County, M-NCPPC’s vision of the building was to be a “living model of sustainability”. With M-NCPPC/Parks and the County agencies of Department of Permitting Services and Department of Environment the project had to be reflective of their missions of responsible growth.

First, the design shunned the “glass box” and exudes nature with its rain-screen façade. Beyond aesthetics, the rain screen façade provided a significantly high coefficient. A living wall of greenery on one side of the lobby space is another symbol of the building’s environmentally sensitive mission and design as well helping provide clean air within the Lobby space. Wheaton Revitalization is a LEED certified Platinum building, and it achieves this rating not only through standard sustainability practices, but also through creative, technologically challenging ways and with critical visibility of sustainability.

• The project utilized geothermal technologies and installed over 156 geothermal loops 600’ below the building. This system reduces over 30% of the electricity required for the mechanical system.
• Solar arrays cover 50% of the lower roof over 35% of the upper roof. The lower roof solar arrays are intentionally visible from the surrounding area. The solar arrays generate power specifically for the lighting and electrical outlets in the main lobby and M-NCPPC hearing room.
• Intensive and extensive green roofs were installed on the lower and upper roofs. Bioretention areas are also installed in tree pits and throughout all the planting areas of the Town Square. The green roofs/bioretention areas reduce runoff by over 40%. Importantly to the sustainability goal, many of these sustainable technologies are also visible to the employees and visitors to both the building and Town Square. • The underground garage is below the existing water table. The design team utilized a “bathtub” waterproofing design that eliminates continuous site dewatering. This application saved over 31.5 million gallons of water/year entering the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• M-NCPPC used Ash wood in the interior design of their space. The Ash wood was from local trees in Montgomery County Parks killed by the Emerald Ash Borer.
• The Project was located immediately adjacent to the Metrorail/bus station and the Parking Garage limited office parking availability. These both encourage transit use which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, low flow fixtures, grey water recirculation techniques, daylight and occupancy sensors installed in both the headquarters and garage assisted in achieving the sustainable and visibly sustainable goals. Important also to note that many of the sustainable practices installed at Wheaton also are impactful within current health and safety considerations of sustainability.

As noted above, all the Town Square water runoff is captured in bioretention planting areas throughout the Town Square. The Town Square also includes all native species planting and its interconnecting network of paths creates a beautiful transition to major public transportation.

The focus on thoughtful and visible sustainability began with the Project’s visions meetings and the team remained focused throughout. The results speak volumes on the thoughtful planning and sustainable goals realized by the Wheaton Revitalization Project being:

• First Government office building in Maryland to be LEED Platinum-certified.
• First Government office building in Maryland utilizing geothermal technologies.
• LEED-Platinum Certification with 84 points.
• Office interiors LEED Gold rating (pending).

The Wheaton Revitalization Project far exceeded even initial expectations of sustainability and has truly become a living lab and exceptional example of a “living model of sustainability”.