Fitchburg, WI (August 14, 2007)-Tri-North Builders Inc., today announced their 55,000 square-foot, three-story headquarters building was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This is the first building in the Madison area to receive gold certification, for new construction, from the USGBC.

The LEED Green Building Rating System ™ is a voluntary third-party rating system. Credits are earned toward satisfying specific green building criteria by recognizing a building’s green performance in five specific areas-sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Tri-North employees moved into the new building in October 2006. The building’s environmentally-friendly features include an energy efficient mechanical system, cotton batt insulation (made from recycled blue jeans), a green roof, waterless urinals and low-flush toilets in the bathrooms, and pervious concrete in the parking lot. Additionally, the building’s large windows and skylights allow for extensive use of natural lighting in offices, cutting electricity usage. The building’s HVAC and electrical systems are 25 percent more efficient than standard systems, while the plumbing fixtures save 300,000 to 400,000 gallons of water each year. During construction, the company recycled 76 percent of the project’s waste, a total of 261.45 tons of debris.

"We’re honored to receive this recognition from the USGBC," says Tom Thayer, Tri-North’s president and CEO. "Green building is the wave of the future in construction. We’re glad to play a small part in saving energy and helping our environment."

Based in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is composed of corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations working together to change the way buildings are designed, built, and operated. Over 10,000 companies and organizations belong to USGBC.

Tri-North Builders Inc., specializes in healthcare, commercial, retail, and hospitality construction throughout 46 states. A leader in green building design and construction, the company has over 300 employees with offices in Fitchburg, Milwaukee, and Dallas.