Government
Service
MEP Engineering Design
Studio
Building Systems
Interiors
Features
250,000 SF Office
30,000 SF Retail
Heat Recovery Chiller
Low-Temperature VAV System
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Array
Geothermal Wells
LEED Platinum
With nearly 40 months of construction and a budget of $179M, the Wheaton Revitalization Project is one of the largest projects ever undertaken by Montgomery County in a public/private partnership.
Driven by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s (M-NCPPC) commitment to sustainability, the development encourages innovative urban design, efficient transportation, pedestrian links, and environmental protection. This transit-oriented development includes a 14-story, build-to-suit government office building, public parking, a town square, and street-level retail.
The development’s mechanical system incorporates a heat recovery chiller that draws from a geothermal loop to provide simultaneous heating and cooling, delivering an elevated level of energy efficiency. This hybrid solution responds to site constraints, which require the 154 geothermal wells be located below the underground parking garage. The integration of a geothermal system results in significant energy savings with more than a 30% reduction in the cooling tower capacity.
Another energy-efficient strategy that this project employs is a 4,000 SF solar photovoltaic (PV) array on the south-facing, second-floor roof. When coupled with the high-performance building envelope, façade glazing, and geothermal system, the energy-efficient strategies result in a total energy cost savings of 23.7%. The development utilizes sustainable plumbing design strategies, such as low-flow fixtures, which reduce potable water consumption by 28%. When combined with the building’s greywater system, wastewater discharge is reduced by 50.65%.
The LEED Gold interior space also employs sustainable design strategies, such as daylighting, low mercury lighting, and a low-temperature variable air volume (VAV) system with hydronic heat, space conditioning, and ventilation. Through sustainable design, the interior environment prioritizes occupant comfort, health, and well-being.
As Maryland’s first LEED v2009 Platinum government office building, the Wheaton Revitalization Project has received several industry awards, including the NAIOP DC|MD 2021 Award of Excellence for Best Sustainable Project and ENR MidAtlantic’s Government/Public Building Award of Merit.
