The recently expanded Baird Center, Milwaukee’s premier convention center, has earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The $456 million expansion and modernization of Baird Center opened in May 2024 and increased the convention center’s footprint to 1.3 million square feet. Through the use of recycled materials in its construction and equipped with state-of-the-art green building features, Baird Center has helped raise the bar for sustainable practices within the convention, meeting, and events industry.
“We are thrilled to receive LEED Gold certification for Baird Center,” said Marty Brooks, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District. “This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation, ensuring that Baird Center serves as a model for sustainable construction while providing a world-class space for the community and visitors alike.”
Issued by the USGBC, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is among the world’s most widely used green building rating system and provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. Baird Center earned its LEED Gold certification by meeting rigorous standards in energy efficiency, water conservation, material sustainability, and indoor environmental quality.
Key sustainability features of Baird Center include:
- Solar roof: Avoids the consumption of 98,130 kilowatt-hours.
- Stormwater detention system: The 320,000-gallon system helps prevent flooding.
- Bird-friendly glass: Reduces bird collisions and support biodiversity.
- ORCA food digester: Can divert 438 tons of food waste per year from landfills.
- Recycled steel: 90% of the total 6,000 tons of steel used in construction was recycled.
- Reclaimed urban wood: Repurposes wood that would have gone to landfills.
Work on the Baird Center expansion was completed by the architecture and design firms of TVS Design and EUA, Henderson Engineers, and Gilbane/Smith Construction, and the project was managed by CAA ICON.
“Marty Brooks and the Wisconsin Center District were committed to sustainability from the project’s inception,” said Dave Hubka, sustainability practice lead at EUA. “By assembling the right team and exceeding WCD’s initial goal of LEED Silver to achieve LEED Gold, we’ve contributed to a healthier Milwaukee and created a national model for sustainable event venues.”