Hands-On AEIOU Process

Since plan implementation isn’t so much about the “How high do we shoot?”, but the “How do we get there?” questions, we developed this diagram to bring attention to the process points to focus on along the way. It just happened that we came up with five words starting with vowels that we could count on one hand, so we cleverly named this our “Hands-on AEIOU Process.”

Assuming that the work of establishing performance targets has been completed and your challenge is to mobilize your organization towards achievement of the targets by implementing various technical initiatives, we offer the following approach. The “Hands-on AEIOU Process” is cyclical, and like a Ferris wheel, participants enter at different points along the process. Here’s how it works.

ADVOCATE for change

Recognizing that leadership endorsement and directive is essential for broad-based change, reflect your organization’s leadership and accountability framework in your strategic action plan. Consider who the decision makers are and what they care about already. Consider who they are held accountable to (shareholders, a board of directors, Congress, a higher power). Align your sustainability implementation with the organization’s strategic business plan and the organization’s core mission, culture and values. Develop an iterative action plan to implement over time by phasing implementation into manageable steps.

Enable leadership to command the situation by providing a clear agenda and decision-making framework. Remember that education is often required to elicit support.   

ENGAGE all stakeholders

Internal champions are essential in order to successfully to manage the development and implementation of the sustainability plan.  Ensure champions have strong subject matter knowledge, passion, commitment, analytic and persuasive sales skills.  Determine who else needs to be involved and establish a method for progressive engagement.  Involve your stakeholders in identifying strategies and technical initiatives.

INTEGRATE with mission and culture 

Understand the organization’s cultural framework and the decision-making process and reflect them in the implementation approach.  Assess the level of risk and change the organization is comfortable with. Provide a frame of reference and data to inform decision-making and make it straightforward to draw conclusions. Identify systemic or cultural changes that may be required to get to the next level and how barriers to change can be removed. Determine whether it will take two years, five years, or a generation to see this change and plan accordingly.

ORGANIZE and leverage systems

Consider who the key stakeholders are at each level of the organization and what is needed to enlist their participation. What have they already done or have planned that will contribute to the implementation of the sustainability plan? How can the sustainability plan help them improve with respect to something that they are already being accountable for? What existing systems can be leveraged to help obtain near-term successes upon which longer-term success is built?

UNDERSTAND effectiveness

Develop a communications program to share progress with various stakeholder groups. Establish feedback loops and remain open and responsive to learning what’s going well and what is not.  Conduct regular progress reviews and incorporate feedback into your continuous improvement process. Make sure to capture and document lessons learned and above all, remember to reward and acknowledge successes large and small!

GreenShape is proud to celebrate the achievement of LEED NC Gold Certification in May 2011 for the Mary M. Gates Learning Center at the United Way Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. United Way’s mission is to “improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.” The organization promotes social, cultural and economic development, and recognizes that environmental health significantly contributes to its objectives. The Mary M. Gates Learning Center is a complete renovation of a 35,000 s.f. existing training center which employs the following sustainability strategies and technologies:

• Sustainable Sites

The project minimized urban heat island effect by placing 90% of the building’s parking under­ground and by using a white roofing membrane. The building’s interior and ex­terior lighting was designed to create minimal spillage to the night sky.

• Water Efficiency

The Learning Center was designed to use 41.7% less water than a code compliant baseline, saving over 26,000 gallons of potable water per year through use of ultra-low flow urinals, dual-flush water closets, ultra low-flow lavatories and low-flow pantry sinks.

• Energy & Atmosphere

Energy-efficient lighting fixtures save 19% of energy typically used for lighting and a solar hot water heating system preheats domestic hot water. Overall, the project uses 25.2% less energy as compared to a conventional building designed to ASHRAE 90.1-2004 standards.

• Materials & Resources

In an effort to conserve natural resources, recycled content products comprised 18.6% of the construction materials by cost. 89% of the wood used for construction was Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, supporting responsible for­est management.

• Indoor Environmental Quality

Learning Center classroom windows frame expansive views of the Potomac River and an atrium allows daylight to enter the Learning Center on both levels.  Each classroom includes adjustable thermo­stats and task lighting allow for occupant comfort control.  Humidity sensors are provided in dense­ly occupied spaces and low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) materials protect building occupants from potentially harmful chemicals such as form­aldehyde. The use of environmentally preferable cleaning products and practices improve air quality and health of building occupants and cleaning staff.

Designed with significant ecological consideration, the Learning Center provides a space for facilitating knowledge-sharing, improving communication, and enhancing leadership at United Way Worldwide. The GreenShape team was honored to support the Mary M. Gates Learning Center project team in creating this exemplary sustainable learning environment.

The LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance (LEED EBOM) green building rating system is appropriate for existing buildings not undergoing major renovation. It is also a great way to ensure the ongoing performance of LEED certified buildings over time. GreenShape offers these straightforward lessons learned about how to navigate LEED EBOM with the greatest success:

1. Confirm leadership support for budget, policy, program changes
2. Identify an internal champion for the project with sufficient time and/or support for effective follow-through
3. Establish a timeline for meeting prerequisites first
4. Establish company-wide policies, programs, performance tracking tools and centralized procurement
5. Determine desired level of occupant engagement and budget accordingly
6. Educate stakeholders along the way to facilitate participation
7. Identify and commit to Best Practices
8. Evaluate ROI to justify deeper-level improvements
9. Conduct frequent progress meetings with key stakeholders
10. Phase documentation, starting with non-performance-dependent credits

Click here to read about the projects that GreenShape has helped achieve certification through the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance rating system.

GreenShape LLC is a nationally recognized sustainability consulting firm based in Washington, DC. We help architects, developers, building owners and facilities managers to create and operate energy efficient, environmentally effective green buildings. We guide organizations through the sustainability planning and implementation process to impact environmental, human health and financial return on investment.

Qualifications
GreenShape is seeking an experienced marketing professional to lead the firm’s business development efforts. Applicants for the Business Development Manager position should hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Business Administration, Business Management, Architecture or related field and demonstrate at least 3 years of experience in successful business development management, preferably within the building industry. We are interested in candidates demonstrating proven subject matter expertise in sustainability in the built environment and broader environmental issues. The Business Development Manager is responsible for expanding our established small business and will work closely with and report to the Principal. We are interested in meeting candidates demonstrating 1) strong marketing experience and sales skills 2) effective management and follow through skills 3) demonstrated experience addressing environmental building issues.

Skills and Abilities
• Self-directed with strong time management, planning and organization skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a friendly, positive disposition
• Effective analytic and follow-though skills to manage processes and individuals to achieve results
• Impeccable attention to detail in order to ensure accuracy of financial and other information
• Flexible and able to maintain equilibrium while managing competing deadlines and priorities
• Resourceful and able to find creative solutions, thinking beyond current systems and approaches toward continual improvement
• Technically savvy and adept at learning new software programs
• Proficient with MS Office and Adobe Creative Suite
• Experienced with CRM software and potentially WordPress

Responsibilities of this position include:
• Developing and implementing an effective strategic marketing plan
• Networking and follow-through to establish new partnering and business relationships
• Overseeing and improving business development processes workflow, tools and performance reporting
• Managing the development of successful proposals
• Coordinating the creation and maintenance of company marketing collateral
• Overseeing activities of the Administrative Assistant in collaboration with the Office Manager

GreenShape offers a salary commensurate with experience and excellent benefits. Our office is located in the central business district in Washington, DC, one block from metro red, orange and blue lines at Farragut Square. For more information, visit our web site www.greenshape.com.

To apply, submit your resume and a letter of interest outlining your relevant experience and career goals to hr@greenshape.com. Please indicate your name and job title (Business Development Manager) in the subject line of your email. Only candidates who qualify will be contacted.

At a glance, as of March 2011 GreenShape has helped its clients:

→ Save 150 Olympic-Sized Swimming Pools worth of water

→ Reduce energy bills by a total of $600 million dollars – that could power 500,000 households with electricity for an entire year!

→ Prevent 5,250,000 metric tons of CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions by diverting construction waste – like taking 1,029,412 cars off the road!

As each of our projects achieves LEED certification, we add it to the ticker. Watch the numbers rise as gallons of water are saved and energy consumption is reduced. Also notice the value of building materials that came from recycled or local sources and construction waste that was successfully diverted from landfills.

LEED certified projects conserve resources during construction, and throughout the life of the building. Responsible disposal of waste and the use of regional and recycled materials result in significant and quantifiable savings. During operations, reductions in water and energy consumption continue to be realized every day as a result of sustainable design strategies.

Take a look at the categories below for details on how we gathered these numbers:

• Water:

  Data reflects calculated gallons saved based on flush and flow rates of fixtures installed as compared to code-compliant baseline fixtures.

  • Best practices employed include:
    • Faucet aerators and lavatory motion sensors
    • Dual flush toilet, low-flow and water-free urinals
    • Low-flow showers

• Energy:

  Data reflects designed energy savings in mBTU’s modeled in comparison to an ASHRAE code compliant baseline.

  • Best practices employed include:
    • High efficiency HVAC equipment
    • Well-insulated walls and roof, and high efficiency glass
    • Dimming of electric lightings based on available daylight, reducing energy required for lighting and cooling.
    • Use of EPA Energy Star rated equipment and appliances

• Recycled Content Used:

  Data reflects total dollar value of recycled content materials used in building construction.

  • Best practice improvements:
    • Demand for building products that have incorporated recycled content material has increased due prioritization for LEED projects, which extends the lifecycle of materials and preserves resources
    • Reduces the impacts resulting from extraction of new material

• Local & Regional Materials Used:

  Data reflects total dollar value of materials manufactured and/or harvested within 500 miles of project sites.

  • Best practice improvements:
    • Demand for building products manufactured locally has increased due to prioritization for LEED projects, which supports the local economy
    • Results in lower embodied energy associated with transportation

• Construction Waste Diverted from Landfills:

  Data reflects actual tonnage of materials that didn’t end up in landfills due to measures taken during demolition and construction.

  • Best practices employed include:
    • Reusing existing buildings where possible
    • Salvaging reusable materials through community salvage events and donations
    • Recycling metal, glass, carpet, ceiling tile and other materials which are directed back to the manufacturing process

GreenShape has guided hundreds of project teams through the application of LEED criteria to their work. See the impressive list of Greenshape projects achieving LEED certification in 2010 (and before and since!)

Continue to check our homepage to see the numbers in the GreenShape ticker rise as more certified projects are added throughout the year!

GreenShape has compiled a list of basic tips for addressing historic preservation projects from a sustainable design perspective. This list is based on our observations gleaned from facilitating over 200 green building projects including numerous historic modernizations, over 40 LEED certified projects, and the development of a sustainability master plan for the Architect of the Capitol. While focused on historic modernizations, these process tips can also easily apply to new construction projects. Today’s buildings have the potential to become tomorrow’s historic buildings if they are beautifully designed, durable, and adaptable to future needs.

1. Partner in Prioritizing
   Collaborate with historic preservation entities to identify historically-significant building features. Adapt elsewhere as needed to meet programmatic and sustainability goals.
2. Invest in a Robust Process
   Build in time and budget to conduct in-depth evaluations for optimized returns. Calculate the ROI of various options (with or without monetized non-cash benefits).
3. Practice “Histomimicry”
   Understand how the building systems were initially designed to work together and evaluate the potential to return to historic methods. Be inspired by the science of historic building systems, updated to incorporate current technologies.
4. Put all Ideas on the Table
   Utilize a facilitator if needed to create an environment where even the craziest or smallest ideas can be considered. Put cost and other perceived barriers aside for outside-the-box thinking.
5. Evaluate Integrative Impacts
   Create iterative models to test the impacts of bundled components against a baseline.
6. Mock up and Measure
   Test potential new components to evaluate actual performance and use the data to inform models. Track actual building performance to inform system refinements over time.
7. Utilize Compatible, Reversible Updates.
   Protect the integrity of historic building fabric when making changes, as today’s improvements are likely to become obsolete in the future.
8. Design for Longevity
   Introduce new components selected for durability and the ability to be refurbished.
9. Plan for Deconstruction and End-of-Life Recycling
   Design components which can be removed without inadvertently destroying other components, and which can ultimately be separated for recycling.
10. Prioritize Maintenance
    Design systems for ease of access for routine maintenance. Create and use a preventative maintenance plan during building occupancy to ensure preservation of the building fabric.

Iris Amdur, GreenShape Principal, spoke about Innovative Energy Solution for Historic Modernizations at the recent Climate Management in Historic Buildings Symposium, cosponsored by the Association for Preservation Technology and the Washington Conservation Guild.

The Symposium presentation featured two local historic modernization projects – the Treasury Annex and the Lafayette Executive Building. Joined by Dilip Parikh PE, CPD, LEED AP, Senior Project Manager at URS Corp., Robert Perry, AIA, Principal at AECOM, and James Standish of WSP Flack+Kurtz, the panel addressed challenges, design process, technical solutions and lessons learned in marrying the demand for a high-performance workplace with historic preservation priorities and the challenge of creating a LEED Platinum project within a prominent historic building. Technologies discussed included chilled beams, phase-changing insulation, photovoltaic solar panels, solar thermal hot water heating, building control systems and a detailed envelope analysis. For more information, contact irisamdur@greenshape.com.

2010 was a big year for LEED certifications at GreenShape – in 2010, we celebrated the certification of our 40th LEED certified project!

GreenShape helped 17 new projects achieve LEED certification in 2010: fifteen at the Gold level, and two at the Silver level. These newly certified projects ranged from government and military to mixed use, schools, community centers, and even a car dealership.

GreenShape led project teams to meet or exceed their LEED certification goals by employing sustainable best practices and cutting-edge, innovative technologies.

Here is a glimpse into GreenShape’s 17 newly LEED certified projects, and just a few highlights of their key sustainable design features:

• 10001 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC – CS Gold 2010
  • Over 95% of construction waste diverted from landfills
• 1129 20th Street, Arlington, VA – CS Gold 2010
  • 42% water use reduction was achieved through the use of high efficiency plumbing fixtures
• 300 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC – CS Gold 2010
  • Combined reflective and green roof system to reduce urban heat island effect while improving stormwater quality
• American Pharmacists Association Headquarters, Washington, DC – CS Gold 2010
  • Advanced building monitoring systems ensures ongoing efficiency
• U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters, Suitland, MD – LEED NC Gold, 2010
  • Extensive network of green roofs with over a mile of sidewalks and two reflecting ponds for storm water management
• Columbia Heights Community Center, Washington, DC – NC 2.1 Silver 2010
  • Stormwater filtration keeps pollutants out of the Chesapeake Bay
• Element 12420, Rockville, MD – CS Gold 2010
  • Over 75% of the existing building structure was reused, and over 50% of construction waste diverted from landfills
• Fitzgerald Toyota Certified Used Vehicle Center, Germantown, MD – NC Gold 2010
  • Photovoltaic panels on-site provide a renewable energy source for the building
• George School; Newton, PA – LEED for Schools Gold 2010
  • 90.4% of wood used during construction is FSC Certified Wood
• MARSOC Headquarters, Camp LeJeune, NC – NC 2.2 Silver 2010
  • Elimination of HCFC-based refrigerants helps limit damage to the ozone layer
• Milestone Building 4, Germantown, MD – CS Gold 2010
  • 99.29% of regularly occupied space in the building has access to views to the exterior
• Residence Hall at Square 80, Washington, DC – NC Gold 2010
  • Designed to be 28% more energy efficient than ASHRAE standards
• Savoy Elementary School, Washington, DC – NC 2.2 Gold 2010
  • First project within the District of Columbia Public School system to achieve LEED Gold Certification
• Station Ridge, Hanover, MD – CS Gold 2010
  • Semi-reflective façade glazing contributes to a 17% cumulative reduction ins the building’s energy demand
• Twinbrook Place, Rockville, MD – CS Gold 2010
  • 100% of workstations are equipped with their own Thermal Comfort Controls to ensure maximum occupant comfort
• University of Maryland University College, College Park, MD – NC Gold 2010
  • 45% of construction materials used were locally manufactured within 500 miles of the building
• Waterfront West 4th Street, Washington, DC – NC 2.2 Gold 2010
  • 100% underground parking as well as green and solar reflective roof surfaces reduce the urban heat island effect

Congratulations to our clients in the Washington DC area and beyond for these enormous achievements and contributions to the advancement of sustainable practices.

The GreenShape team with D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and DDOE Director George S. Hawkins

After five years of hard work, on April 29th GreenShape was honored to receive the DC Mayor’s Environmental Excellence award for Construction Development. District Department of the Environment (DDOE) Director George S. Hawkins invited honorees to continue to act as role models for other local business as we strive to put DC at the forefront of the movement to green America’s cities.

Mayor Fenty distributed the award inside the packed Big Bear Café saying, “The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize the very best in sustainable commerce in the District of Columbia. Every day, the winners demonstrate that taking care of the environment makes good business sense.”

The application asked us a simple set of questions, including: What does your organization do to further an environmentally responsible agenda? How does your company contribute to the local economy? What examples of your organization’s work support your claims?

Citing GreenShape’s mission of guiding the green building movement, we provided proof of our  impact with aggregated data pulled from 9 of our 13 LEED certified projects. Our application discussed our role as community educators, Iris Amdur’s contribution to the DC Green Building Act, and our participation in creating the LEED for Schools rating system. We demonstrated how we at GreenShape walk the walk by taking public transit to work, using timers on our outlets, double sided printers, and energy star rated equipment. Read the GreenShape case study.

GreenShape has worked tirelessly to guide businesses, governments, and individuals towards more sustainable practices, and winning an award in recognition of those efforts has motivated us to continue our work and extend our reach.  To us, being green isn’t just a fad or a business decision.  It is a way of life that we embody every day, and we are proud to be able to help DC realize its goal of leading by example.

“So I assume we’ll see you back here next year?” Mayor Fenty asked GreenShape Marketing Coordinator Emmy Schneider as he exited after the ceremony.

We sure hope so!

This past Earth Day marked GreenShape’s fifth anniversary.  We couldn’t be happier with the success we’ve helped our clients achieve building green at home and around the globe. The green economy has evolved dramatically since GreenShape was founded in 2004.

The 2009 GreenShape Team

2004: “An energy efficient, environmentally-friendly approach.”

This was the answer to the question people were asking just five years ago, “What is green?” Iris Amdur had been coaching design and construction professionals on green building when LEED was in its infancy. Working with a handful of clients including the General Services Administration, the Louis Dreyfus Property Group and Sidwell Friends School, Iris and these early-adopters of LEED invested much effort educating the public on the benefits of a sustainable approach to building. GreenShape celebrated the LEED Gold certification of the Navy Federal Credit Union in Pensacola that year.

2005: “2% average increase in construction costs for a 30%-35% reduction in utility bills.”

Holly Jamesen Carr joined Iris in furthering GreenShape’s efforts and we promoted the successes of the first LEED-rated buildings. The question on everyone’s mind was, “How much does it cost?” Once savvy executives began to understand that being green was not about hugging trees, but an opportunity to receive significant return on investment, momentum began to slowly build. The LEED Silver certification of the National Association of Realtors Washington, DC Headquarters became a landmark for taxi drivers and set the development community abuzz with talk about green as the Realtors began to share their success.

2006: “Use an integrated approach.”

An interest in green building was growing. Iris Amdur worked on an inter-disciplinary team to advise DC Councilmember Jim Graham on establishing the DC Green Building Act of 2006, which established standards for both public and private development. GSA NCR honored Iris’ work leading an inter-disciplinary coalition for construction waste reduction. The Builders Guide to Reuse and Recycling (www.mwcog.org/buildersrecyclingguide/) was published by the Metropolitan Council of Governments and GreenShape helped the Service Employees International Union and the Society for Neuroscience achieve LEED NC Gold certifications. Former VP Al Gore released his film, An Inconvenient Truth, helping bring climate issues to the forefront of the public eye and the USGBC raised the bar for energy performance in LEED-rated buildings.

2007: “How green is your bag?”

As public awareness increased, green became the new black. GreenShape conducted a charrette-a-day marathon for a two-week period in February as private sector developers reacted to the DC Green Building Act. GreenShape moved to our downtown office and our team was joined by Patrick Tallarico and Whitney Maymon. We helped USGBC launch LEED for Schools that year and celebrated along with Sidwell Friends Middle School, the first LEED Platinum school in the world.

2008: “How can we save more energy and earn more LEED points?”

Gasoline prices rose to an all-time high of $3.31/gallon and suddenly the cost of living in the suburbs no longer made economic sense. Businesses also began to ask how to conserve energy to reduce rising operating expenses. Owners and managers of existing buildings pursued certification under the new LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system.

New talent entering the workforce started asking potential employers about their sustainable commitments. Silver had become the new LEED certification standard in the Washington, DC area, and the competition to reach higher certification targets and attract tenants became fierce. Tenants began to increase the use of LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED CI) and GreenShape celebrated LEED CI certifications of the Union of Concerned Scientists Headquarters and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. 1101 New York Avenue, the National Maritime Center, and a Child Care Center in Ashburn, VA were also certified with our help last year. GreenShape brought Sara Cederberg, Jessica Abralind and Emmy Schneider onto our growing team.

2009: “Where’s the money?”

Despite overall economic downturn, the green building sector continues to be strong. President Obama’s commitment to a green economy and federal stimulus dollars are keeping green building in a growth pattern, and the nation’s focus on resource conservation fits well with a sustainable approach. GSA is slated to get $5.5 billion (20 times their annual budget) in stimulus funds. DC’s “green jobs” focus ties in well with the green building requirements that are now in effect for public buildings in the District of Columbia. State incentives (http://www.dsireusa.org/) for energy efficiency and green building are also available. GreenShape has already celebrated the certification of Sidwell Friends Lower School in April, and eagerly awaits the opportunity to announce other LEED certification awards that are expected soon.

GreenShape owes a huge debt of gratitude to the many people on the 150 project teams we’ve worked side-by-side with these past five years. We thank you for your business and look forward to a continued partnership in raising the bar on sustainable living. Please remember, GreenShape is here to help in any way we can and we welcome and thank you for your referrals.

Sidwell Friends School was GreenShape’s first client in April of 2004 when our company opened its doors. GreenShape served as the sustainability consultant to the Sidwell Middle School building which inspired the educational sector and the world with its LEED Platinum certification.

Five years later, GreenShape continues to work closely with Sidwell to support their greening efforts. We are proud to announce that the Lower School addition and renovation in Bethesda, Maryland has been awarded a LEED NC Gold certification from the USGBC.

Many design and construction features contributed to the LEED Gold designation.

Energy

Gym with radiant heated floors

To help promote superior indoor air quality, a green housekeeping plan has been implemented at both Sidwell campuses. GreenSeal certified non-toxic cleaning products are used throughout the buildings. All cleaning staff are trained in proper use and dilution of cleaning products. HEPA vacuums and low-decibel cleaning equipment is also employed.

The project was designed to use 33% less energy than a traditional school by using energy-efficient features including:

• A roof which is 155% more efficient than standard buildings use
• Walls which are 3 times more energy efficient than standard
• Windows providing twice as much insulation value as standard windows.
• Ceiling fans in the gym and classrooms which extend the comfort zone for building occupants in spring and fall and reduce the use of air conditioning.
• Windows, skylights, and clerestories in the gym and classrooms which provide natural light and allow the electric lights to be used less during the school day.
• Water-heated radiant flooring to heat the gym.
• A “central plant” allows a single mechanical heating and cooling system to efficiently serve both the classrooms and gym buildings.

Water

Water use by plumbing fixtures has been reduced by 30% through the use of dual-flush toilets and low-flow lavatories. Dual-flush toilets save water by allowing users to pull up for a half-flush for liquids or push down for a full flush for solids.

Rain Garden

Drought-resistant plant species that are native or adapted the local climate were used in the landscape, eliminating the need to use potable water for irrigation. Rainwater is directed through downspouts into rain gardens using perforated conductor pipes. The rain gardens fill up with water after a rainfall and allow the water to be absorbed back into the earth over time, recharging the water table.

Materials

One of the biggest environmental impacts of construction is often the waste generated during demolition and construction, however, eighty-six percent (86%) of the waste generated during construction of the Lower School buildings was diverted from landfills through reuse or recycling. 1,160 tons of asphalt and concrete were recycled from the project site during demolition. Another 404 tons of waste were recycled during construction of the buildings.

Building materials were selected with the environment in mind. Over 17% of the materials used in construction contained recycled content and over 28% were manufactured within 500 miles of the Bethesda site.

Much of the casework in the buildings was constructed with wheatboard, avoiding binders with added urea formaldehyde and low-emitting paints, adhesives and sealants were used throughout the building

The floors in corridors are covered with linoleum, a durable product made from linseed oil, pine rosin, pine flour, and pigments. These materials are non-toxic, biodegradable, and low-emitting, so, unlike vinyl, manufacturing and disposing of them is not harmful to people or the environment. They are also rapidly renewable, which means they grow back quickly after harvesting, creating a readily available supply and conserving more limited natural resources.

Living Green in a Green School

Classroom

To help promote superior indoor air quality, a green housekeeping plan has been implemented at both Sidwell campuses. GreenSeal certified non-toxic cleaning products are used throughout the buildings. All cleaning staff was trained in proper use and dilution of cleaning products. HEPA vacuums and low-decibel cleaning equipment is also employed.

Sidwell has embedded the institution’s Quaker values of environmental stewardship in campus life and ongoing operations. For example, students at the Lower School are involved in growing vegetables for use by the food service. The Sustainable Food program uses only natural meats, milk, organic whole fruits and vegetables and has eliminated canned and frozen ingredients. Compost bins are used for the composting of vegetable scraps from the Martha’s Table community service vegetable cutting program.

A building tour, brochure and presentations have been developed to allow Sidwell Friends School to share their green building story with others.

GreenShape is proud of Sidwell’s leadership and ongoing commitment to educate the broader community in sustainability and we look forward to a continued partnership.

Awards & Honors

• AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects (2007)