Manekin, LLC was named "Green Business of the Year," at the Baltimore Business Journal’s first-ever Green Business Awards luncheon, which recognized individuals, businesses, government leaders and non-profits that promote environmental sustainability.
"We have a long-standing dedication to energy conservation and the environment. We are committed to blending new physical structures and new physical improvements with the existing environment," said Richard Alter, Manekin’s president & CEO. "Our commitment also extends day-to-day business operations."
Development/Construction
Earlier Green Projects
The BBJ cited Manekin for being, "No stranger to eco-friendly projects and recognition." The firm earned a 2001 Environmental Award from the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association for developing Cloverleaf Center in Germantown, Md.
In 2003, Manekin built the first living roof in Anne Arundel County. Two years later, the firm developed and built an $11 million Harford County Public Schools Administration Building, which ultimately became Harford County’s first LEED Gold-certified building. It also earned the 2006 Award of Excellence for the Best Environmentally Friendly Green Building from The Maryland Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and the Green Leadership Award from the Baltimore Regional Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Being Green in 2007
The Land Development Council (LDC) of the Home Builders Association of Maryland (HBAM) named Richard Alter 2007 Developer of the Year. It also selected the firm’s development project, The Residences at Bulle Rock, as 2007 Project of the Year.
What’s more, Manekin developed and built its new corporate headquarters as a green building. Located at 8601 Robert Fulton Dr. in Columbia, the facility was designed to yield a 35 percent energy savings, via an efficient HVAC system, low e-glass, automatic dimming of lighting during daylight hours, enlarged side lights to increased lighting into interior spaces, and motion sensors to ensure that lighting is only on when space is occupied.
The Manekin headquarters building ultimately became Howard County’s first LEED Silver certified builidng. It also has served as a case study in Howard County and been toured by the County Executive’s Office, Office of Planning and Zoning, Office of Inspections, Licenses and Permits, and the Public Works Commission. Other developers have consulted Manekin for building cost information, materials used and the development process so that they can better plan to develop green buildings.
Manekin also designed its actual move to the new building to be environmentally friendly. Items were packed in approximately 1,000 hard plastic crates (longer life cycle), instead of double or triple that amount in cardboard boxes which have a negative environmental impact because most don’t get reused and simply are dis