For more than a decade, Brightview Senior Living has been committed to building and operating sustainable, healthy communities to enhance the well-being of our residents, families, and associates. To date, 25% of Brightview communities have already achieved or are actively pursuing LEED Certification. Brightview’s Green Building Design Standards use LEED as a guiding principle, and in 2019, the company was recognized as an Outstanding Developer by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
LEED certified buildings are proven to improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people live, work and play. As such, LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
A great example of Brightview’s focus on green building best practices is Brightview Columbia in Columbia, Maryland. This community opened its doors in Fall 2021 and consists of 170 apartment homes in our Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care neighborhoods and an abundance of amenity spaces. In October 2023, this community earned LEED Gold Certification under the USGBC’s Homes and Multifamily v4 rating system. The community surpassed its initial goal of silver certification by incorporating additional sustainable design elements, including rooftop solar PV panels.
Highlighted LEED Strategies
To achieve LEED Gold Certification with 61 points, more than 30 verified sustainable building strategies were implemented during the design and construction process such as opportunities related to location, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and indoor air quality. Below are just a few highlights:
- Community Resources – The building’s main entrance is within ½ mile walking distance of at least five community uses such as the Martin Road Park and Community Foundation of Howard County (community center).
- No Invasive Plants – As part of the landscaping design, the plants selected were not regionally invasive species.
- Total Water Use Reduction – Through a thoughtful selection of water efficient fixtures such as toilets, facets, shower heads, and appliances, total indoor and outdoor water consumption is expected to be reduced by 60% over standard practices.
- Annual Energy Use – To improve the property’s overall energy performance and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the design team modeled an expected 12% reduction in energy consumption compared to an industry baseline.
- Environmentally Preferable Products – In terms of local production, 100% of aggregate for concrete and foundation was extracted, processed, and manufactured within 100 miles of the project site. In addition, flooring and insulation materials met environmentally preferred criteria.
- Low-Emitting Products – All paint, flooring, and insulation are compliant with strict public health and safety standards, focused on improved indoor air quality for building occupants and reduced exposure to airborne chemical contaminants through thoughtful production selection.
To read more details about other strategies implemented to earn LEED Certification, click here.
Rooftop Solar PV
The community also includes Brightview’s second-ever on-site renewable energy installation. Brightview Columbia’s 151kW rooftop solar PV system includes 360 panels, generating 10% of electricity demand or 180,000 kWh of clean energy directly from the sun. This is equivalent to planting 150 acres of U.S. forests annually. Brightview has committed to installing more than 2MW of on-site solar PV systems across multiple properties by 2026 and has a goal is to install solar at every newly developed community.
Resident Wellness
In addition to green building initiatives, all Brightview communities offer resident wellness activities that focus on physical activity, socializing, and healthy eating. Our SPICE program is the foundation for ongoing wellness efforts and the model on which vibrant living programming is based. Including five holistic elements of wellness – Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Cultural, and Emotional – SPICE uses a blend of programs to create meaningful, healthy, stimulating, and positive lifestyles for residents. Residents enjoy a daily calendar full of enriching and inspiring SPICE programs, important for the well-being of people of all ages.
Community Engagement
As part of the construction project and in an effort to engage with the community, Brightview also restored the historic Athol Manor adjacent to the property. Athol Manor is thought to be one of the oldest residential structures in Howard County built somewhere around 1732. The historic building is now home to the Community Foundation of Howard County and is an accessible space for community programs, meetings, and events.
We are thankful for the design, construction, and operations teams who are committed to Brightview’s sustainability journey. The development of the Brightview Columbia community included a number of dedicated partners including Hord Coplan Macht (Architect), Century Engineering (MEP Engineer), Harkins Builders (General Contractor), Solar Gaines (Solar Contractor), and Pando (LEED Consultant).
A special thanks to our residents and the Brightview Columbia team, who live and work in this community, for being part of our sustainability journey and joining us by taking simple actions to cut energy waste and protect the environment. We look forward to earning this recognition for other Brightview communities and continuing to implement sustainability initiatives across the portfolio.
Brightview Senior Living builds, owns, and operates award-winning vibrant senior living communities in eight states along the East Coast: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. We offer senior Independent Living, Assisted Living, Enhanced Care, and Wellspring Village™, a specialized neighborhood for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Schedule a personal visit to experience our communities firsthand.
