Leading global real estate advisor CB Richard Ellis Philippines (CBRE) said in a recent press conference that an increase in demand for green buildings is to be expected within the next year.
From the demand worldwide for green buildings in 2008, which was pegged at $12 billion worth, the projected demand in 2010 had shot up to $60 billion.
According to CBRE, the main reason for this is that there are many perceived benefits to businesses once they invest in green office spaces.
Given the 2.5 year payback period, companies are poised to gain more from investing in green office space with the reduced operating costs, increased building values, improvements to return on investment, and an increase in occupancy and rent ratios as compared to remaining with existing structures built with typical building practices.
Construction and design of green buildings are currently appraised with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating system, which was established by the US Green Building Council in 1996 to provide third-party validation of a building’s design; classify the levels of sustainability; and promote the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
The LEED point system measures the design and building process in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Buildings can qualify for four levels of LEED certification — Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Basically, LEED is a tool to help design teams and owners determine green project goals, identify green design strategies, measure and monitor progress, and document success.
Previously, CBRE announced the launch of the Zuellig Building, which is the first high-rise office development in the Philippines that aims to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified.
“The Zuellig Building will be the Best Green office Building in the Philippines and one of the finest in Asia,” said Rick M. Santos, chairman and founder of CBRE Philippines.
The building, which is worth P7 billion in investment value, combines the best in building technology, quality, and design which was aimed toward meeting demand for prime grade office buildings with an emphasis on environmental sustainability.
Behind the Zuellig Building design are Skidmore Ownings & Merril, the design consultants; Willie Coscolluela, the lead architect; Design Coordinates, the project and construction managers; Davis Langdon & Seah, the quantity surveyors and LEED consultants; Meinhardt, the engineers and façade specialists; and CB Richard Ellis is the exclusive marketing agent and property manager.
By the second half of 2012, CBRE has announced that 65,000 square meters of prime grade office space, and 2,000 square meters of retail space will be available in the Zuellig building.
