The Great Seneca Creek Elementary School in Montgomery County, Md., earned LEED Gold certification in the category of new construction.

The building systems for the first public school in Maryland to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program were designed by the Baltimore engineering firm of James Posey Associates. The Great Seneca Creek Elementary School in Montgomery County earned Gold certification in the category of new construction.

The 82,500-square-foot elementary school in Germantown, Md., opened last fall to accommodate up to 740 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Features of the mechanical and electrical systems for the new school include zoned HVAC with individual room thermostats, lighting and power systems using occupancy sensors for energy conservation, waterless urinals, and dual-flush toilets. A high-efficient geothermal heat pump system provides heating and cooling for the building.