Start 19: Epic Systems Corp.
Cost: $100 million

The Epic Systems Corp. office complex rising on a rocky hilltop in Verona, Wis., looks a lot like buildings are growing out of a cornfield - by design.

The six buildings, which will hold 540,000 sq. ft. of office space and an underground, 1,200-space parking garage, are schedule for phased completion in late 2005 and early 2006. More than 1,000 employees will be in the facility.

Epic develops information systems, software and other technology products for the health care market.

Sensitive to Environment

Mike Dillis, vice president and project executive for Madison-based J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., the general contractor, said that many project facets are sensitive to the environment. That began with site testing during pre-construction, performed by Findorff, to locate underground deposits of glacial detritus and areas of solid rock.

"This part of Dane County is terminal moraine, right at the edge of where the glaciers stopped," Dillis said. "The small hills and valleys here were filled in with what the glacier once carried."

Numerous borings and some research with a backhoe provided information that allowed placement of the buildings in areas that required as little removal of sold and loose rock as possible.

Recycling is a priority on every level of the project.

"We are working with WasteCap Wisconsin and have a program of recycling in place that starts at the tables where the guys bring their lunch buckets to eat," he added. "We recycle soda cans and wrappers and the program goes on to the scrap lumber generated by forming and all the scrap metal generated on the site."

He said that even scrap drywall, which is biodegradable, is being looked at for recycling into farm fields.

Dillis pointed out that these "green buildings" will feature elements such as natural stone flooring, exposed wood structural elements.

Epic Systems owns the 348-acre parcel of land on which the buildings are located. Acres unaffected by construction are leased to a local farmer for tilling and planting of soybeans and corn. The site will also feature landscaped grounds, a waterfall, bike trail and tree house.

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