The Maryland School for the Blind Newcomer, Case, and Campbell Halls Project Achieves LEED Silver Status

Lewis Contractors is proud to announce that The Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) Newcomer, Case, and Campbell Halls in Nottingham, MD, have been awarded LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED certification is bestowed by the USGBC based on a rating system that measures a building’s environmental impact. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system is the leading program for buildings that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. MSB’s Newcomer, Case and Campbell Halls achieved LEED Silver certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at achieving high performance in areas such as energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and sustainable site development, among others. Sustainability highlights for the project include:

This project has reused 97% of the existing envelope and structural elements sourced from the previous development. Building reuse has a significant impact on reducing the energy-and-resource-intensive manufacturing of new building materials while simultaneously preserving much of the character of the original historic structure.

This project has recycled or salvaged for reuse more than 75% of the waste generated on-site.

10% of the building’s total materials cost was spent on materials containing recycled content and 20% was spent on building materials that were harvested and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site. By utilizing recycled and regional materials, the project team was able to reduce its demand on precious natural resources and lower its carbon footprint.

All interior installed adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, flooring, and composite wood products have low (or no) volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, which are known to have negative health impacts when released in indoor environments in large quantities.

The Newcomer, Case and Campbell Halls project was a multi-phased project that touched more than 94,000 SF between the three buildings and is the most recently completed project part of MSB’s multi-phased Campus Improvement Plan. Included in the project was the historic restoration and renovation of Newcomer Hall, renovations to Case and Campbell Halls, an addition to Case Hall, demolition of the existing Wolfe Center and site improvements that provided a new roadway and traffic loop on campus. With an emphasis on improving the quality of life of the local school community, maximizing sustainable efforts, and minimizing environmental impacts on the surrounding area, Lewis is grateful to continue the long-standing relationship with MSB and serve the needs of MSB’s growing student body.

As a statewide resource center, The Maryland School for the Blind provides outreach, educational and residential services to help students reach their fullest potential by preparing them to be as successful, independent, and well-rounded contributing members of their communities as possible. Annually, MSB serves over 70% of the 1,800 students identified in Maryland who are blind or visually impaired from birth to age 21. In addition, over the past 40 years, the school has begun to serve and meet the needs of students with autism, cerebral palsy and severe cognitive impairments.