Arthaland Corporation (Philippines) won the Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance Award (2020 Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards) for their multi-certified project, the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, a flagship office development of Arthaland Corporation in the Philippines. In this blog, Oliver Chan, Senior Vice-President, shares the story behind the first certified net zero development in the Philippines.

What do you think makes this project so exemplary?

Arthaland Century Pacific Tower (ACPT) is the first certified net zero development in the Philippines. In addition, it received LEED Platinum and BERDE 5-Star, the highest classifications in their respective rating systems. Also pioneering occupant wellness in the country, ACPT received its WELL Health-Safety seal and is vying for WELL certification. Awarded by leaders in the field of sustainability, these certifications demonstrate that ACPT is backed up by scientific and global standards that allow people to thrive and sustain better lives.

What was the biggest challenge you faced on this project?

Our aspiration for the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower to offer the best sustainable working conditions posed numerous challenges to the company. It was not a simple endeavour, demanding meticulous planning and implementation. In pioneering sustainable projects in the country, our responsibility goes beyond building sustainable spaces. We take it upon ourselves to ensure that project teams, property managers, residents, and tenants appreciate and understand each sustainable feature of the project.

What was the greatest opportunity you identified on this project?

With the development of the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, the greatest opportunity that opened for the company is the education of our stakeholders on sustainability. Our educational campaigns reached investors, design professionals, construction teams, manufacturers, property management, and customers. By sharing our project, we hope to inspire more net zero projects globally.

Christopher de la Cruz, CEO of Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC): 

“As an advocate for sustainable development, Arthaland Corporation has been active in pursuing multiple certifications for green building. The PHILGBC has consistently commended their work in pursuing certification under the BERDE Green Building Rating System and through the Advancing Net Zero Program — Philippines.  Their commitment and leadership fosters a culture that embraces sustainability in their company and in all their projects.

“As an ANZ/PH Net Zero Energy certified project, we recognised the implementation of Arthaland’s commitment to advancing net zero in the Arthaland Century Pacific Tower project.  They were able to demonstrate their conservation and optimization of energy use in their project, and demonstrated the use of 100% renewable energy for their operational energy demand.”

In what ways does this project contribute to our industry’s long term goals towards total decarbonisation? 

This project directly contributes to the company’s vision to address climate change and the industry’s decarbonisation goals through its energy-efficient design and renewable energy source. Arthaland Century Pacific Tower is designed to reduce 45% of its total annual energy demand, which is 100% from a renewable energy source.

How do you think your project could influence other sustainable building projects in the Asia Pacific region?

Through its successful certification as the first certified net zero project in the Philippines, Arthaland Century Pacific Tower became tangible evidence that a boutique developer can achieve net zero operations in an emerging market. This accomplishment demonstrates that the decarbonisation of the built industry, regardless of company size, project location, scale, or market, can be achieved today. It all begins with an unwavering commitment to sustainability, and with that we can make a net zero world a reality.

About the awards

The Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards showcase the achievements of businesses and innovators in WorldGBC’s Asia Pacific Network which are leading the way on sustainability in buildings.

The biennial Awards, first held in 2014, celebrates buildings pushing the envelope in sustainability, companies that have integrated sustainability into the core of their operations, and women leading the green building space.

An independent panel of 12 high-profile judges assessed nominations from Asia Pacific green building councils, and selected finalists in three awards categories:

1. The Business Leadership in Sustainability Award

2. The Women in Green Building Leadership Award

3. The Leadership in Sustainable Design and Performance Award

View the full Award Booklet: Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building Awards 2020 here.

The winner of each category was announced at an online ceremony on the 3rd December 2020.

For more information contact Nellie Cheng at ncheng@worldgbc.org