SouzaBlog

Going green kinda snuck up on us, and over the past two years has really taken hold of our agency. It all started innocently enough when we took on a very green client. Not long after, we were blessed with the opportunity to purchase and renovate an office building overlooking the expansion of the Annapolis Mall, and not far from the U.S. Naval Academy and Annapolis’ Historic District. The building had been on the market for quite some time but it’s lack of love over the years was too much for most people to swallow. So it sat abandoned and neglected.

Now we must admit that our parents and the 70ties had prepared us for the green wave sweeping the country. Growing up we had to save our paper lunch bags to reuse until they literally fell apart, or carry our metal lunch boxes to school. Who knew collectors would be willing to pay big bucks for a metal lunch box that hadn’t been thrown across the playground once or twice?

At any rate, here we are in our sharp new office building at 2547 Housley Road, Annapolis. It’s very green. We’ve even been thinking about the possibility of registering for a LEED rating. Wouldn’t that be fun!

Our offices at 2547 Housley Road, Annapolis

First, it needed all new everything. We did manage to save the 1950ties hardwood floors in the conference room and reception area. They were such a fright having sustained years of water damage and broken planks that could send you into the abyss. But with the help of Elite Hardwood Flooring in Annapolis, the compliments just keep coming in.

Next, think walls, windows, doors, ceilings, HVAC, plumbing, electric, indoor and outdoor critters, and anything else you can imagine. Most were either rotted, unfriendly, or just waiting to start a major fire, so starting anew and incorporating green building strategies just seemed like the right and smart thing to do.

Here began our journey into an eye-opening environmental and economic strategy that has created an inspired atmosphere for everyone who visits…clients, guests, family, associates, delivery guys, and all those non-believers who wanted to renovate this place but were afraid to.

Creative & Design Studio

One of our eco-friendly choices included cork oak flooring. It plays an important role in lending intriguing texture and polished warmth to our offices. Most people still think of cork bulletin boards or stoppers for wine bottles when we tell them our floors are cork. Little do they know that cork is just about the most friendly natural resource on earth. Cork oak is harvested without damaging or chopping down a single tree. Here you can find out more…

Next we installed Low “E”/Argon Gas energy-efficient windows and doors. Windows are one of the worst energy wasters in any part of a building, and we have achieved a 40% greater thermal efficiency with their use. Natural light streams into the building, splashing the studio walls with unexpected slices of colors and shapes. No light-blocking curtains here.

Our multi-level floor layout and clean, energy-savvy lighting fixtures provide an interesting dimension and fresh perspective to all the crisp lines and airy spaces. We are particularly fond of our striking waves of Souza Blue which are repeated throughout the interior walls and decor of the building, enlivening the air with amusement and surprise.

Reception & Conference Rooms

We won’t go into all the little things we try to do to help reduce our carbon footprint. But incorporating green building strategies was a priority for us in our effort to embrace our calling to conserve and restore our natural resources, reduce operating costs, improve productivity, heighten aesthetic qualities, and improve overall quality of life.

If you’re in the area, please stop by. We love to share our story, and would be excited to show you around. Our vision to create a healthy and inspirational environment for our home away from home is now a reality, and it provides us a strong foundation on which to grow our agency over the next 25 years or so. That would be 50 years total, and we’re looking forward to it.

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