The Northboro R&D Center is the largest facility in Saint-Gobains network of research centers throughout the world and its expansion required intricate planning, design and construction. The 60,000 square-foot state-of-the-art facility, designed by Shepley Bulfinch, of Boston, fosters innovation and collaboration between research teams in a sustainable environment.

In cooperation 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 from both companies 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 Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

We are proud that CertainTeed products were chosen for this cutting edge facility, which will contribute significantly to LEED Gold Certification, says 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 groundbreaking 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 such environmentally friendly features as a cool roof that reflects heat, insulation products that foster superior acoustical and thermal control, ceiling tiles with high light reflectance and gypsum board that provides fire, mold and moisture resistance.

"This facility establishes bold new benchmarks in terms of both collaborative research environments and highly energy-efficient buildings," says Thomas Kearns, AIA, LEED AP, principal architect at Shepley Bulfinch. The end result is the synthesis of a client's vision, a committed design team, and the best of materials to work with. Creating a project like this, that fosters innovation in such a sustainable context, is an example of real global leadership.

CertainTeed products featured in the expansion include:

* Flintlastic FR Cap with CoolStar Roofing * CertaPro AcoustaTherm Insulation * CertaPro Commercial Insulation Board * GlasRoc SheathingProRoc Gypsum Board * ProRoc Shaftliner with M2Tech * ProFin Joint Compound * Symphony f Ceiling Tiles * Metal Grid Ceiling Suspension System * Restoration Millwork Trimboard

The research center also features the following Saint-Gobain products:

* Normount V2800 Bonding Tape * FibaCrete Concrete Reinforcement Mesh * GlasGrid Reinforcement Grid * ClimaTop Thermally Super Insulated Glass

About Saint-Gobain

With more than 1,000 subsidiaries in 57 countries, Saint-Gobain is the worlds largest manufacturer and distributor of building materials, and a leader in the production of high performance materials and glass containers. Founded in 1665 and headquartered in Paris, Saint-Gobain had worldwide sales of $64.4 billion in 2008 and employs approximately 210,000 people.

About CertainTeed

Through the responsible development of innovative and sustainable building products, CertainTeed has helped shape the building products industry for more than 100 years. Founded in 1904 as General Roofing Manufacturing Company, the firm's slogan "Quality Made Certain, Satisfaction Guaranteed," quickly inspired the name CertainTeed. Today, CertainTeed is North Americas leading brand of exterior and interior building products, including roofing, siding, windows, fence, decking, railing, trim, foundations, pipe, insulation, gypsum, ceilings and access covers.

Headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa., CertainTeed and its affiliates have more than 6,000 employees and more than 65 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. In 2009, CertainTeed was named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a national award that recognizes environmentally responsible corporations. The group had total sales of more than $3 billion in 2008. www.certainteed.com

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