When Saint-Gobain decided to expand its research and development center in Northboro, Mass., the company tapped CertainTeed Corp. to help create a sustainable design.

CertianTeed Corp. is the North American subsidiary of France-based Saint-Gobain.

The Northboro R&D center is the largest facility in Saint-Gobain’s network of research centers throughout the world. According to the company, the expansion required intricate planning, design and construction. The 60,000 square-foot facility was designed with the goal of innovation and creating collaboration between research teams in a sustainable environment.

Working with construction management firm A.J. Martini of Winchester, Mass., technical and building science experts from Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed chose 13 key sustainable products for the expansion. When it is inspected later this year, the completed structure is expected to attain a gold rating in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program.

“We are proud that CertainTeed products were chosen for this cutting edge facility, which will contribute significantly to LEED-gold certification,” said Aman Desouza, director of innovation and sustainability for CertainTeed. “Working together, we have helped build a top-notch research facility that meets stringent energy efficiency and environmental performance standards.”

The Northboro R&D center specializes in the research of high-performance materials, such as plastics, ceramics and abrasives, as well as renewable energy and technologies to promote energy efficiency in buildings.  The expansion includes laboratory, office and meeting space and incorporates green features such as a cool roof that reflects heat, insulation products that foster acoustical and thermal control, ceiling tiles with high light reflectance and gypsum board that provides fire, mold and moisture resistance.