Arthaland banks on multinationals’ demand in developing ‘green buildings’

Arthaland

Arthaland Corp. is banking on the demand from multinational companies for environment-friendly office buildings as the property developer pushes for more “green” developments.

“The advantage of ‘green buildings’ is that multinationals are always ahead in terms of recognizing the benefits of green buildings,” Arthaland vice chairman and president Jaime Gonzalez told reporters on the sidelines of the awarding ceremony of the company’s Arthaland Century Pacific Tower in Taguig City late Wednesday.

“Quite a number of multinationals are now saying that they only move in green buildings,” Gonzalez said.

Office development was recognized by the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corp. as the first development in the world to be granted an Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) Zero Carbon certification.

“A project that reaches the EDGE standard of 20% less energy use, 20% less water use, and 20% less embodied energy in materials compared to a base case building can be certified with EDGE,” according to the IFC.

After its flagship office building was granted an EDGE Zero Carbon certification, Gonzalez said Arthaland is planning to have its two ongoing developments to be recognized as “zero carbon.”

“We have other green projects in the pipeline. The economy is doing well. Companies are expanding, companies are moving in so we are seeing good demand,” he said.

“We have two ongoing projects, the Savya in Arca South. That is a two tower development. Then Sevina Park in Laguna which is an 8-hectare mixed-use development with office, residential, and retail components,” he added.

Apart from protecting the environment, tenants of green buildings also get savings from lower utility bills. —VDS, GMA News