ARTHALAND has gone all out on being green by putting into reality the largest green commercial development to be built in Cebu.
The Cebu Exchange, ArthaLand’s largest green development is at the forefront of the green revolution as it introduces to Cebuanos the way to sustainable and environment-friendly living.
In Sanskrit, Artha means “success” or “wealth,” and in traditional Hindu philosophy it is the first of the four aims of a life well-lived. However, for Jaime C. Gonzalez, president of ArthaLand, it also means success not only in material but also in spiritual terms: “That defines our philosophy. It’s not just about making money. We want to take care of the environment. We want to leave a legacy behind,” says Gonzalez.
With this, the property development company took on the responsibility of creating a greener Philippines by developing green properties that are created specifically for sustainable and environment-friendly living.
Ed Sabidong, vice president for Technical Services and chief sustainability officer, was recently elected chairman of the Philippine Green Building Council (PhilGBC), a nonprofit organization that promotes green-building education and champions certified green-building practices in the country.
To be considered “green,” buildings need to pass stringent inspection and be certified by one of the internationally recognized Green Building Councils that enforce the global standards for sustainability. ArthaLand’s Arya Residences in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), is the first and so far the only residential condominium to obtain dual certification: a Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council and a Berde (Building for Ecologically Responsible Design Excellence) Four-star Certification from the Philippine Green Building Council. To top that, the ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower, also in BGC, obtained the highest possible certification from both councils: Leed Platinum and Berde five-star.
The Cebu Exchange stands to be the only green high-rise in the Visayas and Mindanao to be on target to achieve dual building certification both from Leed and Berde. It is also registered with the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Philippine Green Building Council (PGBC).
“It takes a lot of discipline and commitment to the advocacy because when you develop a commercial or residential building that is certified by Leed or Berde, there’s a higher financial investment,” says Christopher G. Narciso, executive vice president for business development.
In other words, the projects cost more to build if they are to meet the exacting standards of the various Green Building Councils, here and abroad, that certify a structure as “sustainable.” However, in the long run they pay long-term dividends in terms of energy cost savings, environmental protection, and a more congenial lifestyle for both buyers and investors.
With the Cebu Exchange, ArthaLand hopes to provide green features laid out in three key sustainability initiatives – EcoExperience, EcoCommunity and EcoOptimize.
For EcoExperience, Cebu Exchange aims to promote improvements in productivity and wellness by allotting 30 percent of the area for greens and open spaces and creating three landscaped decks: Terrace Garden, Sky Park and Penthouse Deck. These features are to promote a whole lifestyle experience for a more balanced live, work and play ecosystem.
With EcoCommunity, Cebu Exchange nurtures community and culture by providing not only online but also offline connectedness and promoting enterprise culture by preserving heritage and promoting culture.
With EcoOptimize, Cebu Exchange reduces environmental impact through reuse and recycle by providing materials recovery facility and rainwater collection and recycling. It also promotes eco-efficiency through maximized natural air ventilation by orienting the building to account for the sun’s path and by also taking advantage of the prevailing winds in each location so that airflow is maximized. The buildings will have a 40:60 glass-to-concrete ratio for optimized natural lighting, dual-flush water closets and low-flow valves in common restrooms.
As of now, Narciso adds, ArthaLand is ahead of the curve, although the idea is starting to gain traction, among mainstream developers.
With global demand for certified green buildings on the rise, Cebu Exchange is built especially for investors seeking international leasing and for buyers who put resource efficiency and employee well-being at a premium. SPONSORED CONTENT