Original article by  Joey Roi Bondoc

Additional text by Yann Magcamit

For most businesses, the pandemic proved to be a test of resilience and highlighted the importance of plans, operations, and solutions that are long-term and “future-proof.” 

To future-proof something means designing it so that “it will continue to be useful or successful in the future if the situation changes.” And according to commercial real estate agency Colliers Philippines, adopting green and sustainable features can play a crucial role in future-proofing spaces beyond the pandemic.

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of sustainable office spaces and residential units, and this trend can be seen complementing the recovery of the real estate market beyond 2022. To retain and attract occupants, Colliers Philippines notes the importance of an establishment’s wellness attributes and green retrofitting activities. 

Green and sustainable homes will also be a real estate trend, and dwelling in a healthy space is a factor that will redefine residential demand within and outside Metro Manila. Because of the pandemic highlighting this need for sustainable spaces, building and real estate developers are embracing green technology for their projects.

Benefits of a green office space

Given an upgrade driven by shifting tenant profiles, Colliers said that the market moves from basic structures to more spacious buildings with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications and more energy-efficient systems. Consequently, this will improve the overall experience of employees and visitors alike.

A Harvard study showed that workers scored 61 percent higher in a cognitive function test across nine functional domains—including crisis response, strategy, and focused activity level—when staying in a space with green building conditions. 

“Green building design that optimizes employee productivity and energy usage will require adopting energy efficient systems and informed operating practices to maximize the benefit to human health while minimizing energy consumption,” stated the Harvard study.

Among green building features that should be considered in office spaces are filtered air circulation, lower density ratios, and high glass ratios for natural sunlight. 

As for building owners and real estate developers, Colliers Philippines noted the importance of ensuring property management capabilities like sanitation and emergency preparedness. They should also maximize the wellness features of their buildings and prioritize green certifications such as LEED and Well building standards. 

While LEED rates a building based on its environmental impact, Well’s standards focus on features that impact human health and well-being. This globally recognized accreditation is managed by the International Well Building Institute.

These certifications became a seal of authenticity for green buildings, and its widely accepted standards tend to be appreciated by middle and upmarket local businesses and multinational corporations looking for an office space to occupy. In fact, Colliers foresees LEED buildings likely accounting for 37 percent of the new office supply from 2021 to 2023.

Aside from LEED and Well, other green building certifications widely used in the Philippines are Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) and Excellence In Design and Greater Efficiencies (EDGE). These rating systems complement each other with unique criteria addressing a common goal, which is to support the Philippines’ commitment to reducing emissions by 70 percent by 2030.

Colliers Philippines’ report titled “Is there a greener pasture in the Philippine real estate market?” found that the role of the real estate industry in supporting efforts to achieve the country’s nationally determined contributions to the Paris Agreement is critical as a driver for property development growth. The agency also stated that the real estate industry directly supports opportunities in the economy and the environment.

Current green design strategies

The report also listed the immediate benefits of applying green building standards, which include promoting a safe environment, improving health and well-being, and serving as a starting point in addressing the environmental impacts of real estate development. Several green building design strategies are already utilized in Metro Manila and can be easily rolled out nationwide. These include:

• Access to natural lighting, which helps enhance productivity, increase visual acuity, and support the body’s circadian rhythm;
• Access to clean indoor air that will help limit physical discomforts in the eyes, nose, and throat
• Proper interior acoustic planning that will reduce physiological distraction from internally generated noise and exterior noise intrusions
• Improved thermal efficiency, enhancing comfort while reducing the use of air conditioning, therefore, decreasing utility cost
• Low-flow fixtures that reduce water waste, therefore, reducing overall water demand
• Properly designed wayfinding and signage within the development that promote active movement from one place to another

Colliers Philippines believes that moving forward, there will likely be a heightened preference for sustainable buildings that provide natural lighting and optimize air quality, among other features. 

Over the next three to five years, this shift to sustainable office spaces should result in utility and talent acquisition cost savings and contribute to a healthier and more productive workforce.

This story was originally published on Inquirer.net 

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