The Bowie Parks and Recreation Headquarters earned a LEED Silver rating, partly because straw bale walls and three green roofs were included. Greenbuilders assisted with design and then built the bale wall and the green roofs. Both have performed well.

At first, Greenbuilders had an audience of public officials tasked with monitoring construction, who were frankly skeptical about the feasibility of straw bale. However as the bale walls went up, so did the August temperatures, and there were enthusiastic comments as the great insulating properties of the bale walls impressed officials.

To finish the walls, Greenbuilders worked with Chris Fox, a specialist who brought a plaster pump from Ohio; his experienced crew created a smooth, beautiful and long-lasting surface.