Star Garment Group’s Innovation Centre wins global sustainability merit award
The Innovation Centre of the Star Garment Group (Star), a leading global manufacturing company, has received the 2020 Merit Award Winner in the category of Sustainability from the AIA New York (AIANY).
AIANY’s annual Design Awards programme recognises outstanding architectural design by AIANY members, New York City- based architects in any location, and work in New York City by architects around the globe.
The Katunayake-based company said in a media release that Star’s commitment to sustainability guided the decision to convert an older, 70,000- square foot factory to Passive House Standard, leveraging a rigorous set of design principles focused on energy efficiency, quality and comfort. Completed in 2017, the state-of-the-art Innovation Centre was the first Passive House design in Southeast Asia.
Designed by Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture, the Innovation Centre features a print resource library, sample room, pattern making facilities and world- class design capabilities. Pioneering Passive House technology to combat the Sri Lankan climate, the design includes energy recovery ventilation, wrap- around heat pipes for enhanced dehumidification capacity, a highly efficient VRF system, thermally broken windows with external shading screens, and a rooftop photovoltaic system. “Meticulous engineering of the building systems and enclosure allows employees to enjoy a comfortable work environment with abundant natural light, low humidity, filtered fresh air and temperatures near a constant 24- degree Celsius,” the release said.
The Innovation Centre, along with a recently awarded CarbonNeutral® certification across all its 14 facilities, makes Star both the largest carbon neutral company in Sri Lanka, and the only one in the apparel sector to be internationally certified as carbon neutral.
Founded in 1978, Star Garment Group is a worldclass apparel sourcing, design and manufacturing company based in Sri Lanka. The company provides expert, seamless execution in product development, technical innovation, on- time delivery and personalised customer service to ensure the best quality and value for each of their customers.
Chairman of Greener Water Limited Dhammika Perera (a fully owned subsidiary of Vallibel One PLC) and Chairman of Summer Season Ltd Mohan Pandithage recently signed two groundbreaking MOUs to establish global luxury brands JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton in Sri Lanka.
While Mr. Perera signed the MOU with President – Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China) of Marriott International Rajeev Menon, Mr. Pandithage, also Chairman and Chief Executive of Hayleys PLC, signed the MOU for Ritz Carlton, Mirissa. Present at the signing of this landmark agreement were Regional Vice President Head of Business Development, Marriott International Kiran Andicot and Executive Director, Hayleys PLC and Managing Director of the Hayleys Leisure Sector Rohan Karr, according to a media release issued by the Colombo firms.
The luxurious 500 roomed five star JW Marriott located in Negombo is billed for launch in the 4Q of 2021, while the Ritz Carlton with its 228 keys will open its doors in Mirissa in the 3Q 2022 detailing its unparalleled signature of defined luxury .
“The signing of these MOUs is a strong affirmation of Dhammika Perera’s commitment to the growth of the country’s leisure and tourism industries, adding a fillip to the Sri Lankan economy as a whole. His visionary thought process augments Sri Lanka’s expansive offerings in hospitality designed to attract discerning highend travellers with a penchant for the exotic, while heightening investor confidence in the country’s investment prowess into not only the hospitality sector but the entirety of the investment possibilities in Sri Lanka,” the statement said.