25.03.2014 The new office building “B6 Verge (B6 construction site)” on the GreenCity Zurich South site has been awarded a LEED Platinum pre-certificate. The building thus demonstrably meets high standards of sustainable construction. The green building certification in accordance with the international LEED process is provided by HOINKA GmbH. The GreenCity Areal Zürich Süd is being built on a site owned by Sihl Immobilien AG. The project is being developed by Losinger-Marazzi AG in collaboration with Nüesch Development AG. The aim of this development is to transform the site from an industrial zone into an attractive mixed-use quarter. The new building will provide space for around 1000 users from 2016. Retail space is also planned on the ground floor.
HOINKA GmbH has been managing the project as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) since 2013. Following a detailed pre-assessment, which serves as a basis for the client’s decision, the client was shown the measures required to achieve LEED Platinum certification. On this basis, HOINKA GmbH drew up a specification sheet for the client that made it easier for all planners and contractors involved to implement the criteria. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that the complex LEED requirements for the building services, the use of ecological building materials and the construction site documentation were incorporated into the ongoing planning and construction process as smoothly as possible. The planning is also continuously reviewed.
Here are some highlights of the project that lead to LEED Platinum certification:
- Energy-efficient systems engineering and energy concepts
- Efficient lighting with the lowest possible connected load
- Use of photovoltaics on the roof
- Purchasing green electricity
- High thermal comfort and well-being through cooling of the rooms
- High utilization of daylight to increase visual comfort and reduce the required lighting energy
- Use of low-emission materials (floor coverings, paints, varnishes, etc.)
- Good indoor air quality through mechanical ventilation and sufficient air exchange
- Water-saving fittings (>40% water savings compared to the LEED reference value)
- 100% rainwater infiltration via infiltration troughs on the property to maintain the natural water cycle
- Orderly commissioning (Fundamental + Enhanced Commissioning)
- Compliance with sustainability standards on the construction site
- Recycling of recyclable materials/waste generated during demolition and new construction
- Use of regional and recycled materials to protect the environment
- Good connection to public transportation
- Good access to facilities for employees (shopping, restaurant, etc.)
- Provision of electric charging stations for electric vehicles
- Provision of showers and bicycle parking spaces for employees
- Use of large green spaces with native plants
- Realization of a green roof
- Light-colored surfaces in the outdoor space and on the roof to reduce the heat island effect (heating of the outdoor space / microclimate)
The quality of the building becomes visible and tangible for the user:
- Lower operating costs
- Higher user satisfaction
- Higher productivity through employee satisfaction
- Positive internal and external impact
- Reduction of the CO2 footprint
- Conservation of resources
- Improving the quality of life
LEED is a seal of quality for sustainability awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. The name LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The seal of approval recognizes buildings that are planned and built in a particularly sustainable way.
The LEED system of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) evaluates the sustainability of buildings on the basis of approx. 58 individual criteria. A total of 110 points are awarded in the following 7 environmental categories:
- Category 1: Sustainable Sites (location and outdoor space), (26 points)
- Category 2: Water Efficiency (water consumption during use) (10 points)
- Category 3: Energy & Atmosphere (energy requirements) (35 points)
- Category 4: Material & Resources (14 points)
- Category 5: Indoor Environmental Quality (health and comfort) (15 points)
- Category 6: Innovation & Design Process (Innovations) (6 points)
- Category 7: Regional Priority (4 points)
