Cecil College’s Engineering and Math Building has achieved LEED Gold status. In the process, it becomes the first building in the Maryland county to receive any type of LEED certification.
The recognition was received following a third-party evaluation process, which takes into account seven categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design, and regional priority credits.
A number of green design elements contributed to getting the award such as reduced maintenance turf and plantings, an energy management dashboard system that allows for monitoring and control of energy usage, and the maximization of daylight throughout the building.
The building also has a green roof covering the building, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC equipment, low-flow lavatories, and a cistern catchment that enables a portion of storm water to be retained for non-potable use within the site. “I think it is great that we are actually gathering rainwater, funneling it through the systems in the building, and storing it in a large cistern to reuse within the building,” said Dr. Christine Valuckas, Cecil College vice president of administrative services.
“LEED certification actually starts in the design phase when you are working with the architects and engineers,” said Valuckas. “As you are thinking about how the building is going to function, and the needs of the college and its students, you look at the various categories of LEED points to see what can be included that would attain points.”
With design and engineering services provided by Marshall Craft Associates and construction by Riparius Construction, Inc., Hunt Valley, MD, the three-story, 28,683 square foot Engineering and Math Building was built to support the educational and training requirements of the high-tech industries, and their employees, located in Cecil County.
The building provides space for expanding course offerings by Cecil in engineering, math and physics, which will enhance transfer opportunities for its students and support the rapidly growing degree programs in engineering. It is also helping the college continue to promote the STEM initiative of beginning to prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while they are in middle school.
“We were thrilled to be able to, in our first attempt, achieve LEED Gold,” said Valuckas. “When we had our initial meetings early on and were working toward LEED Silver, we knew we were in the ballpark but you don’t know until the end of the project whether you have achieved your goal.”
While the building is labeled engineering and math, much of Cecil’s student body is benefiting from the new study spaces, technology, and equipment. It is also being utilized by Frostburg State University, which started offering a Bachelor of Science in engineering, materials engineering concentration, on Cecil’s North East campus.
