Sustainable Design

Bowie Gridley Architects is a member of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and is committed to the concepts and principles of sustainable design. This commitment is born of a belief that as designers we have been entrusted with a profound and implicit responsibility to the communities we serve. We are responsible for not only designing buildings and environments that are safe and healthy, but also for acting as stewards of the earths’ resources.

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George School, Library - Newtown, PA

The new Mollie Dodd Anderson Library at George School is designed to meet the changing function of a school library and the ever-changing needs of the school’s academic program over time. Sustainable design strategies used to obtain LEED Gold certification include: use of vegetated swales to capture run-off; green roof; reduced site lighting; use of native plants; use of water efficient bathroom fixtures; building mechanical systems with no CFCs; a full recycling program; use of new materials with recycled content and from regional sources; at least 50% of wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC); and low emitting paints, carpets, and glues. In addition, lighting in individual spaces will dim with increased sunlight; over 90% of spaces will have visual connection to the exterior, and over 12% of the building’s energy needs will be generated from on-site renewable sources.

DCPS - Savoy Elementary School - Washington, DC

When completed in 2009, Savoy will be the District’s first LEED certified elementary school. Strategies used to secure Silver Level LEED Certification include specified construction practices, materials, codes, product types, material requirements and commissioning essential in building a sustainable building. Savoy School and will be the building block for future green buildings in the District.

Shady Side Academy, Rowe Hall & Study Center - Pittsburgh, PA

Following a master plan for the 132 acre Senior School Campus, Bowie Gridley Architects designed the first project, renovation of historic Rowe Hall and adjacent Study Center. Working with a locally based sustainable design consultant, BGA implemented a series of design strategies to obtain LEED Gold Certification of the project. Strategies included: use of porous paving and innovative stormwater management system; use of recycled and locally produced materials; introduction of natural light to reduce energy consumption; renovation of HVAC systems; promotion of alternative transportation to the site.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute - Chevy Chase, MD

Bowie Gridley Architects is working with HHMI to design a major expansion to their office campus in Chevy Chase, Maryland. One of the project goals is to achieve a LEED Gold certification. BGA made significant efforts to design an efficient building envelope. Building energy performance modeling (whole building energy simulation) tracked HVAC usage, building envelope performance, and lighting loads to determine significant energy performance above the baseline set by ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004. HHMI has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by agreeing to develop and implement a Measurement and Verification Plan post occupancy to ensure building performance and occupant comfort.

Bowie Gridley Architects’ Commitment

Bowie Gridley Architects has identified seven principles for approaching sustainable design in our practice:

Achievable strategies
Efficient & renewable energy
Environmental impact
Resource conservation & recycling
Indoor environmental quality
Cost, value and life cycle evaluation
Community issues

What is Sustainable Design?

Sustainable designed buildings aim to lessen their impact on our environment through energy and resource efficiency, balanced with cultural and community sensitivity. Structures that are designed to be sustainable are also referred to as “green buildings.”

What is LEEDä?

Designed and implemented by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEEDä stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a system of certification to evaluate the sustainability of building construction in six areas:

Sustainable sites
Water efficiency
Energy and atmosphere
Materials and resources
Indoor environmental quality
Innovation and design process

What role does the United States Green Building Council play?

The Council is the nation's foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.

Council members are leading a national consensus for producing a new generation of buildings that deliver high performance inside and out. Members work together to develop design guidelines, policy positions, educational tools, and industry standards—including the LEED™ Rating System—that support the adoption of sustainable design and building practices.

What projects are eligible?

Currently, LEEDä Certification is available for offices, institutional buildings (schools, libraries, museums, churches, etc), hotels and residential buildings of four or more stories.

Where can I learn more?