Sustainable Design Consulting

Community and Cultural Buildings

Community and cultural institutions, both publicly- and privately-owned, provide enrichment activities within their buildings and on their grounds. This group includes public libraries, community and recreational facilities, museums, and cultural centers. The high level of public exposure for these buildings allows an opportunity to showcase the practical application of sustainable design and operations to a broad audience.  SDC has provided LEED process management and green building consulting services for community and cultural buildings of local, regional, and national significance.

Southwest Library, Washington, DC
Southwest Neighborhood Library, Washington, DC: Designed by Perkins + Will, this ‘pavilion in a park’ emphasizes connection to the natural environment. Its unique roof structure significantly reduced the project’s construction waste on-site, while supporting both vegetation and a photovoltaic array. SDC provided Process Management to Design-Build Prime Turner Construction and helped the project surpass initial expectations, attaining LEED Platinum-level certification in May 2021.
Varina Area Library, Henrico, VA
Fairfield Area Library, Henrico, VA: Designed by Quinn Evans Architecture, this 44,803 sf library offers digital media labs, classrooms, collaboration zones, and a study room. In addition to achieving Gold-level certification and an AIA Richmond Merit Award in 2021, this project also earned an award from ALA / IIDI in the Public Libraries Over 30,000 sf category, as well as Best Innovative Project: New Construction and the People’s Choice Award from USGBC Virginia in 2022.
Elkridge Library and Senior Center, Elkridge, MD

Lorton Library and Community Center, Lorton, VA: Designed by Grimm + Parker Architects, this new 32,000 sf mixed-use facility sits on an approximately six-acre site. In addition to the library wing, spaces within the community center include a gymnasium, exercise room, game room, classrooms, art rooms, and a non-profit space. SDC provided Process Management with the initial goal of attaining LEED silver-level certification, however the project is currently on track to achieve LEED-NC Gold-level certification.

Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center, Rockville, MD
Capital One Hall, Tysons, VA: Designed by Hammel, Green and Abramson, Inc., this 163,414 sf, seven story multi-purpose theater includes a 1,500-seat auditorium hall, orchestra pit, outdoor terrace, retail spaces, and classrooms. The project invested in features including such as recycling collection, water-efficient appliances, enhanced commissioning, and LED lighting, further promoting sustainability of design and comfort for the occupants. SDC provided Process Management and obtained LEED Gold-level certification in March 2022.
Dewey Gottwald Event Center at the Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond, VA
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Brock Center Classroom Addition, Virginia Beach, VA: Designed by Tymoff + Moss Architects, this project is a 1,600 sf addition to the award-winning Brock Environmental Center. The building design incorporated biophilic design concepts, connecting occupants to the natural environment. To protect local bird populations, the façade was designed to reduce the risk of bird collisions. The project achieved both LEED-NC Platinum-level certification, and the Climate Champion Award from USGBC Virginia in 2022.
Virginia War Memorial Expansion, Richmond, VA
Virginia War Memorial Expansion, Richmond, VA: Originally constructed in 1955, this state facility received an SMBW-designed, 22,571 sf building expansion, comprising classroom, exhibit, and storage space, plus structured parking. The expansion is also home to the Shrine of Memory, dedicated to Virginia’s Global War on Terror veterans. SDC provided Process Management throughout the project's design and construction. The project attained LEED Silver-level certification in May 2021.
Institute for Contemporary Art at the Markel Center, Richmond, VA
Sully Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, Chantilly, VA: Designed by Quinn Evans Architects, this 7,000 sf Net-Zero municipal facility features passive design, solar panels, stormwater collection, and reclaimed materials. The center includes the Learning Observational Outdoor Pod (LOOP), an outdoor educational playground focused on the STREAM concept. The project aims to achieve Living Building Challenge certification and will serve as an educational resource for environmental stewardship in Fairfax County.