United States
                      Environmental
                      Protection Agency
                      Washington, D.C. 20460
              Solid Waste
              and Emergency
              Response (5105)
EPA-560-F-04-245
February 2004
www.epa.gov/brownfields/
    &EPA    Green  Buildings  on
                      Brownfields Pilot
                                                               Baltimore, MD
 Office of Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment
                                Quick Reference Fact Sheet
National Aquarium Center for Aquatic Life and Conservation

To meet the needs of a rapidly growing collection of current and future exhibits, as well as expanding programs
in research, husbandry, and conservation, the National Aquarium in Baltimore is building a new Center for Aquatic
Life and Conservation (CALC) on a seven-acre brownfield located near major highways and bus routes in
Baltimore, Maryland. To assist in their goal of obtaining a LEED Silver or Gold rating, the Aquarium used their
Green Buildings on Brownfields pilot support to retain the services of a Baltimore architect who specializes in green
building design.

The expert architect worked with the Aquarium and the project's technical advisory committee to develop a detailed
green building plan that outlined not only the space needs of the programs to be housed, but also clear goals and
strategies for green building and site design. As stated in the final plan, "[e]cologically intelligent design treats the
building and its site as a system. The design team will look into detail at water, air, energy, transportation, materials,
and habitat flows to, from, and within the site.  The design  will emphasize connections and synergies  among
interrelated natural systems and building technologies."

The green building plan includes strategies for a number of design elements, including:
  • Water andwastewater conservation and management. Rainwater and greywater will be investigated for use
    in toilet flushing, a cooling tower, floor washing, and irrigation.
  • Indoor environment andHVAC systems. The design team will focus on the building as an integrated
    system to reduce energy
    consumption for heating and
    cooling.
  • Energy efficiency and renewable
    energy. Passive solar and other
    energy conserving design elements
    will be integrated into the
    architecture.
  • Environmentally friendly building
    materials. The design will utilize
    environmentally friendly building
    materials, including recyclable
    plastic pipes instead of PVC pipes.

The CALC will be a state-of-the-art facility
with public access to showcase its green
design while also achieving its mission of
aquatic life conservation.
Artist's conception of one proposed design for the National Aquarium's
future Center for Aquatic Life and Conservation.

-------