Philip Merrill Environmental Center

Sustainability issues ranging from energy use to material selection were given serious consideration throughout the design and construction of this facility. The Philip Merrill Environmental Center houses the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s 90-person staff. The building features open office workstations for all staff members, including the president, to promote interaction and collaboration. The layout also supports sustainable design strategies such as daylighting and natural ventilation, while providing views of the bay for every employee.
The Merrill Center has an array of resource-conserving features that both support CBF’s environmental mission and facilitate on-site education. About 73 percent of the building’s water comes from rainwater stored in three exposed collection cisterns. Material from composting toilets is used to fertilize the grounds. A bioretention garden in the parking lot uses carefully selected plants to filter storm water runoff. While these high-profile technologies attract much of the visitor's attention, the building shows a commitment to both leading-edge and good-sense green design strategies.

The World's First LEED Platinum Building

The center, which opened in 2001, is one of the world's most energy-efficient buildings, incorporating natural elements into a fully functional workplace that has minimal impact on its Bay- and creek-front surroundings. The first building to receive the U.S. Green Building Council's Platinum rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the center and its sophisticated systems have won international acclaim as a model for energy efficiency, high performance, and water conservation.

All materials used in building the Philip Merrill Environmental Center are made of recycled products or created through processes that don't damage the environment. The facility is extremely cost-effective and operates in harmony with the land, natural resources, and the Chesapeake Bay, proving that green buildings work. Our facility also proves that it isn't necessary to lose comfort or beauty to build responsibly. The building serves as an interactive model that has educated and inspired people—including hundreds of businesses, organizations, and government agencies—for 20 years.
Building green was once considered a cause advocated mostly by hardcore environmental groups. Not so today. With rising energy costs and emerging technologies catching on, green buildings are smart solutions for both businesses and homeowners serious about reducing pollution, mitigating environmental impact, and saving money.

Goals

The center was designed to support and explicitly assert the principles of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s mission – collaboration in achieving a sustainable relationship with the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The goals for the design of our headquarters were: 

• Creating an inspirational and efficient workspace for staff while supporting on-site education and volunteer training 

• Developing the most environmentally sensitive building possible without compromising comfort or beauty.

• Establishing an example for others to create equally “green” buildings 

• Being the best neighbor possible. (The center is located in a residential neighborhood.) 

• Shaping a workplace and environment from which to monitor and investigate the state of the Bay

Energy Performance Data

Energy use and production have been monitored since the center first opened in December of 2000. Initial energy use in 2001 was elevated since commissioning activities were ongoing. By 2002, the building had been tuned for optimal energy performance. Starting in 2003, the building’s hours of operation were extended to accommodate staff, and the facility has been increasingly rented out for weddings and social events, extending the days of operation from 5 to 6 days per week on average. This additional usage accounts for the increase in energy use observed in recent years.

Survey Results

Very high scores in the general satisfaction category place the Philip Merrill Center in the 99th percentile of all buildings surveyed by CBE to date. In addition to this impressive ranking, the building ranks in the 99th and 90th percentiles for the important areas of air quality and lighting, respectively.