Ore Central goes beyond green
Green buildings are shaping up to be an ideal choice for businesses looking for sustainability, employee productivity, and enduring beneficial effects, property consultancy firm Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) said.
“In the middle of congestion, pollution, and climate change issues, businesses should now consider going into spaces that are built, designed, and constructed to minimize their environmental impact,” LPC chief executive officer David Leechiu said.
“Not only do green buildings help the environment recover, but they also present businesses and tenants with economic benefits that make for excellent investment. This is especially true in a megalopolis like Metro Manila, where there is not enough open park space or greenery, and where major hubs are filled with developments where use of sustainable building materials is not the standard.”
Green buildings facilitate emissions and waste reduction, water conservation, and temperature moderation. It is a common misconception that building a green infrastructure is significantly more expensive to build and maintain. Studies show that the green premium is not as steep when it is incorporated in the earliest phase of a project. It may even be considered as a wise investment when businesses factor in efficiencies during their occupancy.
Interestingly, green spaces also allow for improved employee productivity. According to separate studies by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the World Green Building Council, green design contributes to improved indoor air quality and ventilation, thermal comfort, and noise reduction, among many other benefits.
“The business mindset now should be building and investing for a greener future. With the way our world is changing, everyone will gradually realize that green is the way to go both in our lifestyles and in our workplaces,” Leechiu said.
One such building under development in the heart of Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is Ore Central, developed by Monte De Tesoro Corp. It is scheduled to complete construction by October 2016, and is the only building to be completed and become fully available in BGC just before the year ends.
The 32- story masterpiece designed by Gensler, the world-renowned architectural firm behind the Shanghai Tower and Incheon Airport, brings together function, future-proof design, and sustainability.
Among its green features are double-glazed curtain walls that repel heat and promote natural light, state-of-the-art VRF air-conditioning system that maximizes fresh air, and green decks located in the 8th, 18th, and 26th floors that ensure continuous air circulation and which are maintained with harvested rainwater.
Ore Central’s green design has earned it a pre-certified Gold rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the United States Green Building Council. In utilizing highend materials, Ore Central’s projected usage savings is 28 percent for energy and 45 percent for water.