Team Henderson understands the importance of designing spaces that incorporate flexibility and sustainable features for a bright, clean future while enhancing the end user’s experience. The expanded and renovated Baird Center in Milwaukee, WI, reached a new milestone by earning a gold certification in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEED). To qualify for the LEED Gold certification, a venue must score between 60 and 79 points across various sustainable design operational categories, including energy and water efficiency and quality of sustainable solutions. Achieving this certification makes the $456 million expansion project a model of our sustainability efforts and establishes the convention center as one of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly designed venues in the country. 

Sustainable Solutions 

As the Engineer of Record (EOR), our team worked closely with project partners to bring the expansion and renovation to life using forward-thinking, sustainable design solutions. One of the most innovative aspects of the project is how our team utilized the existing underground downtown district steam loop to power the facility’s heating and hot water. This allowed our team to take advantage of the 100-year-old loop system to implement renewable energy sources and avoid relying on natural gas and fossil fuels. The Baird Center now runs on steam from local power plants and recycled energy that would otherwise go to waste, boosting energy efficiency by 23% compared to most newly built convention centers.  

Designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind, we were able to specify a solar roof to produce renewable energy, low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve water, and LED lighting to cut down on power use. Our partners also built the structure using 90% of recycled steel, installed UV-blocking glass to keep cooling costs low and keep the center comfortable for visitors, and set up an on-site industrial scale composting program to keep food waste from landfills. 

More Than a Convention Center   

What makes the space truly special and more than just a convention center? It’s a venue designed to embrace inclusivity and elevate guests’ experiences. By doubling the size of the center to 1.3 million square feet, guests, performers, and staff are given the chance to enjoy 300,000 square feet of open exhibition space, 52 meeting rooms, and an overall 85% increase in capacity. Also included are all-gender restrooms, dedicated quiet areas, lactation spaces, and sensory rooms to ensure everyone can enjoy the Center in their own way. Guests are also able to enjoy the incredible rooftop ballroom and terrace, which offer stunning views of the city. 

Building a Better World  

At Henderson we believe in creating spaces that restore, renew and replenish sources of energy and materials. The expanded and renovated Baird Center sets a new standard of what can be made possible for convention centers and environmentally friendly designs. By partnering together, we can design solutions that serve the people within them.