USACE Constructs LEED-Silver-Rated, One-of-a-Kind Military Medical Museum in Silver Spring, Maryland

May 14, 2012, Silver Spring, Md.: It was an unusual task but the mission was clear: construct a one-of-a-kind building to serve as the new home for a century-old military medical museum. And the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rose to the challenge.

Managing the project from start to finish, the Baltimore District office supported the design-build contract that was awarded to Costello Construction of Columbia, Md., in December 2009. Construction began during the summer of 2010 and was completed in August 2011.

Led by project manager Robert Williams (based out of the Fort Detrick Integrated Program Office in Frederick, Md.), USACE-Baltimore facilitated the rapid construction of the new 20,000 square foot structure, constructed with tilt-up concrete walls, limestone veneer, and metal panels with architectural styling that reflects the nature of the Museum's mission. The building met strict environmental conditions set by the Museum and is designed to create the optimal environment to house the Museum's National Historic Landmark collection.

As part of its efforts to modernize new construction and comply with regulatory mandates, USACE also worked to be sure the new Museum facility met or exceeded the minimum program requirements for LEED-Silver ratings as defined by the Green Building Council. The new building, for instance, replaced an asphalt parking lot and retained the maximum square footage of reusable green space, and incorporated natural light into administrative areas.

NMHM opens to the public on May 21, 2012, the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Army Medical Museum (today's NMHM). Media may inquire for more information by contacting Melissa Brachfeld, NMHM Public Affairs Specialist at (301) 319-3313.