Asia is fast catching up with the latest global trend in building construction, that is, going green. According to the World Green Buil...
Asia is fast catching up with the latest global trend in building construction, that is, going green. According to the World Green Building Trends 2016 SmartMarket Report by Dodge Data & Analytics, we are likely to see twice as much green buildings globally every three years.
Thanks to India, China, Korea and Taiwan, Asia is not far behind in the global green building arena. In fact, these countries made it to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s (LEED) list of top 10 countries outside of the US that meets green building standards. One of the latest globally recognized green building is Philippine’s very own SM Aura Premier, getting a prestigious LEED® Gold certification from US Green Building Council (USGBC®).
Take a look at some of Asia’s LEED certified buildings:
SM Aura Premier, Taguig City. SM Aura is the first Philippine mall to be awarded with LEED Gold for passing international standards in indoor air quality, thermal comfort, as well as energy and water efficiency. The mall has its own waste water treatment plant that recycles water for non-potable use, energy efficient LED lighting system, centralized air conditioning system cooled with recycled water, and double low emissivity insulated glass panels. Its Sky Park uses green roof technology. It allows plants to grow by using rainwater or recycled water, while keeping away the heat of the sun from the building.
Figure 2 Redwood Kunshan Warehouse Distribution Centre of Shanghai, China. Photo courtesy of redwoodgroup.com
Redwood Kunshan Warehouse Distribution Center, China. Recycled materials were used in constructing this two-story facility in Shanghai, China. It has what is called “grey water system” that collects rainwater for reuse. Its landscaping is designed in such a way that water consumption would be minimal.
Figure 3 Taipei 101, formerly known as Taipei World Financial Center, in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo by wallpaperswide.com
Taipei 101, Taiwan. One of the tallest buildings in the world, this financial center has 101 floors that collectively reduce the use of potable water by at least 30% compared to average building consumption. The building was also retrofitted to convert into energy efficient luminaires and lighting controls. The entire building uses low to no-mercury lamp fixtures.
Figure 4 VMWare in Bangalore, India. Photo by glassroom.com
VMWare, India. A LEED Platinum certified building, software company VMWare’s campus is designed using sustainable engineering and materials, including: low flow water fixtures, special light fixtures, sensors, heat deflectors on the roof, among others. More than 90% of the waste from construction was recycled to further reduce the building’s carbon footprint.
Figure 5 Hidaramani factory in Kahathuduwa, Sri Lanka. Photo by hidaramani.com
Hidaramani Industries Ltd., Sri Lanka. This garment factory received the first LEED Platinum among Hidaramani Group companies. This green factory utilizes biomass boilers and skylights. Another LEED certified factory from the Group has sustainable pest management practices, clean product usage and mercury reduction programs.
Figure 6 National Australia Bank, Hong Kong lobby. Photo grabbed from usgbc.org
National Australia Bank, Hong Kong. The Hong Kong branch of National Australia Bank received a LEED-C1 for having comfortable and healthy atmosphere for employees and visitors inside the building. Increased ventilation, good thermal comfort, improved lighting system, and use of natural light from outside are key in making this possible.
