One of the key and unique sustainability features that make JEG Tower @ Acacia stand out is its Mitsubishi Destination-Oriented Allocation System (DOAS) elevators that are utilized in all 22 floors of the premium green building.
DOAS elevators are developed to ensure strategic and safe movement within the vertical development, with innovative technology designed to utilize less energy consumption. By optimizing mobility and decongesting key common areas in the building, less energy is consumed.
More than utility savings and lesser energy consumption, the DOAS system integrates the building’s elevators with installed turnstiles that allow for a unique lift assignment, making it easier to contact trace and assuring a less crowded lobby.
As the economy reopens and more employees are returning to the workplace, JEG Tower’s DOAS elevators add another layer of contactless protection to the building as it reduces the need to press a button for a car call. Through the automated assignment, the allocated car only has one destination, allowing for reduced waiting or time, and energy efficiency.
DOAS Elevators for the New Normal Workplace
Elevators are an essential means of transportation for workers in high-rise office buildings, however, as the workplace adapts to the new normal, many employees become wary of their safety and health while inside a closed and constricted space.
DOAS elevators aid in managing the traffic for building occupants. This system limits the exposure of employees to other tenants in the building from other floors. This helps promote social distancing without sacrificing waiting time.
This system also minimizes the need for touching surfaces as it eliminates elevator buttons. Turnstiles that are situated in the lobby will automatically assign to which elevator car employees need to ride to reach their desired floor. This touchless option mitigates any risk for cross-contamination inside the commercial building.
As one of the frontrunners of sustainability and advocates of work-life balance in the Philippines, JEG Tower @ One Acacia uplifts the holistic health and well-being of its tenants, especially in the new normal. This 22-storey premium green building has designed office spaces to maximize the use of natural daylight, allow better indoor air quality in all work and common spaces, and organize initiatives to encourage healthier living for its tenants.
Named as 2020’s Best Green Commercial Development in the Philippines and a LEED Gold certified office building, JEG Tower @ One Acacia invests in top-grade amenities and the latest technology to offer the best, safest, and healthiest place to work in Cebu City.
Interested to know more about this rising icon of sustainability? Connect with us by calling (+63) 2-8403-5519 or sending an email to jegtower@kmcmaggroup.com.
The Philippines has topped Asia and ranked 5th in the world for the use of solar energy across various sectors and industries.
According to a study conducted in 2018, the country was hailed number one among developing countries in the continent in terms of the use of solar photovoltaic systems for electricity generation. As a tropical archipelago, experts agree that the Philippines has the potential to generate a lot of energy from natural resources. In recent years, local government units and private firms partner to capitalize on this potential. Numerous solar energy farms across the country have been established and founded to supply electricity and power to select areas and localities.
solar panels in the Philippines have come to the forefront in cost efficiency with regular consumers. In truth, the Philippines has been generating energy from renewable resources for a long while now. It has only been in recent history that more of the Filipino people are recognizing the benefits of renewable energies as an alternative to oil and carbon. Listed below are the renewable energies found in the Philippines, as well as the geographic location of the power plants where they can be found.
Cheap, Clean, Renewable
According to the International Energy Agency, solar power is turning into the cheapest source of new electricity generation capacity in many countries, especially in Asia. It is also endorsed by frontrunners of sustainability and green real estate for the benefits it offers environmentally and financially.
The IEA also noted that they are looking forward to the next 25 years, when the world’s growing energy needs are met first by renewables and natural gas as fast-declining costs turn solar power into the cheapest source of new electricity generation.
Investment in Sustainability
The Department of Energy has been bullish in exploring and investing in renewable energy generation to help lower costs, meet the consumption demands, and lessen the country’s carbon footprint. Beyond costs, solar power generation also reduces emission of environment-harming greenhouse gases that contribute heavily to the climate crisis.
Moreover, the shift to renewable energy in real estate is constitutionally encouraged in the country. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act requires building owners to use renewable sources. Solar power is most plausible given that the Philippines remains to be the only country to experience 2,000 hours of sun per year.
With the massive movement to go green especially in real estate, the investment or additional cost incurred in the technology used to support solar energy can be outweighed or mitigated upfront by several benefits that it can provide in the long run.
Beyond the idea of conservation, highlighting the improved energy efficiency structure that will be unique to adopting developments and estates is an unparalleled advantage that will have far-reaching implications in overall energy consumption and demand globally.
Interested in green buildings and the move to a more sustainable future? Contact us today at(+63) 2-8403-5519 or email info@kmcmaggroup.com.
The use of solar panels as an alternative energy source can be one of the unique features of a green building. Commercial solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity in order to meet the building’s power needs to operate. As sustainability continues to be one of the standards in real estate development in the new normal, more and more property owners are considering to install commercial solar panels to attract tenants and occupiers. Here are some benefits of using solar power energy in the workplace:
Energy Independence
With growing power demand, overburdened networks and increasingly erratic weather, electricity supply remain volatile in some parts of the Philippines. Commercial buildings that utilize solar panels reduce its dependency on the local power grid.
Stored solar energy can help in guaranteeing a 100% uptime and providing a more reliable backup power to sustain business operations in case of a power blackout.
Environmental Impacts
Solar power is a clean and renewable energy that does not contribute to the creation of carbon emissions in the world, effectively reducing air pollution. By using solar power instead of the municipal power supply, businesses that are located in solar-powered establishments limit the production of greenhouse that also contributes to common health problems such as asthma.
Installing solar panels and sourcing electricity from the sun’s rays also reduces the building’s operational costs. Since commercial buildings that utilize collected and stored solar energy are not purely dependent on local power grids, businesses can expect a partial cut off their monthly utility bills.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Businesses and brands that support and promote sustainability leave a positive and lasting impression on existing and potential clients. Using solar energy and contributing against climate change is considered to be a plus for a company’s CSR.
Return on Investment
Installing and utilizing solar panels has the potential to increase the resale value of any commercial property. Real estate and property investors are more inclined to pay a premium for developments that have solar-enabled assets that deliver benefits to their tenants and occupants.
Named as 2020’s Best Green Commercial Development in the Philippines, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is designed towards sustainability and operates to reduce negative impacts to the environment, and provide a safe and healthy working environment in Metro Cebu.
Interested to know more about how JEG Tower @ One Acacia promotes sustainability in Cebu City’s property market. Contact Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63)-917-825 6884 for inquiries and more information. You can also call us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 or email info@kmcmaggroup.com.
JEG Tower @ One Acacia takes pride in being one of the most environmentally friendly commercial establishments, not only in Cebu City but also in the rest of the Philippines. Being named as the country’s Best Green Commercial Development in 2020 and LEED Pre-certified Silver by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), this 22-storey premium-grade building serves as the standard-bearer of JEG Development Corporation’s commitment to giving back to the Cebuanos by promoting sustainable real estate.
In a sustainability report, JDC quantifies how much difference a green building like JEG Tower can contribute to the community not only in terms of being environmentally responsible, but also in prioritizing the health and well-being of its tenants while supporting the companies occupying the building.
Underscoring the triple bottom line of sustainability that is People, Planet, and Profit, JEG Tower invests in technology and observes measures that improve energy efficiency, water efficiency, Ozone protection, and environmental protection during construction and beyond.
Premium green buildings like JEG Tower @ One Acacia address greenhouse gases by reducing the amount of energy required for building operations. With a whole-building approach, the tower strives to use energy more efficiently by utilizing high-efficiency variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning systems, installation of Low-E glass to reduce heat from the sun on the building’s interiors, installation of LED lighting throughout all buildings, provisions for energy-efficient elevators & escalators, use of variable speed motors and pumps to reduce energy further, as well as providing white roofs to reduce the heat load on the building.
Based on the results of Barone International energy models and in comparison to non-green commercial structures, JEG Tower recorded a 23% reduction inelectricity consumption.
Water Efficiency
Most buildings rely on municipal potable water sources to meet operational needs such as flushing toilets to landscape irrigation. As most city centers become highly urbanized and develop, there is an increased demand for potable water that puts a strain on its supply, and under extreme conditions necessitates water rationing. Water pumping and treatment also require energy, whose production generates additional greenhouse gas emissions.
JEG Tower @ One Acacia promotes water efficiency by having a rainwater collection system that utilizes rainwater for plumbing and the irrigation of the building’s green spaces. Having this system within an establishment significantly decreases the total amount of water withdrawn from underground aquifers and other water bodies. Moreover, these strategies will protect the natural water cycle and save resources for future generations. A reduction in water consumption also decreases the buildings’ operating costs and further improves the buildings’ overall energy efficiency.
The same sustainability report found that a 54% savings in water usage is recorded using JEG Tower’s technology, or at least the volume of two Olympic-sized pools.
Ozone Protection
As Climate Change becomes one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems, the use of refrigeration equipment that produces chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) is highly discouraged.
To ensure the right refrigerants are being used, JEG Tower @ One Acacia has established a refrigerant management system to minimize the negative impacts on ozone depletion and provide additional protection to the earth’s atmosphere. The refrigerant selected for the building’s air conditioning system is the Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) R-410A which has zero Ozone-Depletion Potential (zero- ODP) but a low Global Warming Potential 1,890 GWP, as compared to other HFC refrigerants.
Environmental Protection
By observing the LEED 2009 Green Building Design and Construction Guidelines, JEG Tower @ One Acacia has implemented several sustainable policies, programs, and procedures to provide the surrounding communities with additional environmental protections such as:
Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
This measure reduces the pollution that can be caused by construction-related activities. General contractors of the building have implemented an erosion and sedimentation control plan for all construction activities associated with the project, which has complied with the erosion and sedimentation requirements of the U.S. EPA Construction General Permit.
Restoration of Habitats
The proposed landscape at the development will help restore damaged areas from the construction activities, provide habitats, and promote biodiversity to the development. JEG Tower @ One Acacia has dedicated 20% of its total area to providing green and open spaces to promote biodiversity and a healthier working environment.
Its unique rooftop garden also features native and adaptive vegetation to ensure less maintenance and reduced costs by minimizing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation.
JEG Tower @ One Acacia has also provided a dedicated area at each building to collect and store waste materials for recycling. By making it easier for the building occupants to recycle their waste, a significant portion of the solid waste stream can be diverted from local landfills.
Construction Waste Management
Contractors of JEG Tower @ One Acacia have implemented a program to divert construction and demolition debris from disposal in landfills and incineration facilities. Instead, these recyclable construction materials are redirected back to the manufacturing process and appropriate reclamation sites. Recycling construction and demolition materials reduce demand for virgin resources and further reduces the environmental impacts of resource extraction, processing, and transportation.
JEG Development Corporation’s commitment to building a sustainable project demonstrates their leadership in today’s market, heavily influenced by demands for green buildings: to deliver buildings with a lesser negative environmental impact, lower energy consumption, and healthier indoor environments.
Want to learn more about how JEG Tower @ One Acacia promotes sustainability in the Philippines? Reach out to Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63)-917-825 6884. For listing inquiries and more information, call us at (+63) 2-8403-5519 or send an email to info@kmcmaggroup.com.
Sustainability was one of the most defining shifts in the real estate industry in 2020. As more businesses realize the importance of health and well-being, this trend in design and construction shows no signs of slowing down this year. Construction and design professionals are also working to build more planet-friendly structures that would benefit communities as a whole.
Here are some green trends in construction and design to expect this year:
Green Materials and Increased LEED applications
As more people realize the benefits of staying and locating in a green building, many developers will aim for LEED certification for their commercial and residential developments. More green materials will be used and prioritized in construction to help property owners achieve this certification.
Green materials such as wood, bamboo, natural fibers, non-VOC paints, fiber cement, among others will be utilized by developers and contractors for their health and practical benefits. Experts say that as more people realize the connection between their environment and their wellness, many will opt to return to using materials that originate from nature rather than highly processed and synthetic options.
Biophilic Design
Many offices will be inspired by biophilic features and design in workstations and shared spaces. Biophilic spaces do not only use eco-friendly materials, it also promote a healthier lifestyle by bringing nature and its elements back into buildings.
A biophilic office design will continuously be in trend for this year since businesses prioritize the health and safety of their employees as they start coming back to the office amid the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than strict precautionary measures protecting physical health, employers should also cater to the emotional and mental well-being of their people.
Vernacular Architecture
Vernacular Architecture will also be one of the sustainable construction and design trends for this year. More developments will be using locally produced and available construction materials. This real estate trend will also inspire design that will not only pay homage to the history and culture of a place but would also increase the efficiency of material procurement and production. This type of construction is sustainable as vernacular design stresses utilizing materials within reach from the site, which in turn cuts down on transportation cost and reduces the chance of shortage of materials.
Water Conservation Measures
Commercial buildings will be more aware of their water conservation measures in 2021 as there is more awareness of the predicted shortage of fresh water supply in some regions of the world. Installing rainwater collecting and management facilities and installing green roofs is a sustainable design and construction solution for this imminent environmental problem.
Logically designing a building to maximize as many natural resources is also one of the sustainable trends in construction this year. Allowing more natural light by building larger windows or orienting a structure in such a way that wind flows will lead to lesser utility costs and lesser energy emissions in the long run. Little adjustments and changes in the design of a development can go a long way to reducing the energy requirements of the building and would also benefit its occupants.
JEG Development Corportation is one of the frontrunners of sustainability in the Philippines. Its first vertical commercial development, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is where sustainability meets sophistication. The 22-storey office and retail tower is LEED Silver Pre-certified and is designed for providing an optimal working environment for its tenants.
JEG Tower @ One Acacia is also 2020’s Best Commercial Green Development in the 8th Property Guru Philippine Property Awards. Recognizing the tower’s world-class green features and amenities, JDC is the first local Cebuano company to win this award. JEG Tower was also shortlisted for Best Office Development in the same year.
Learn more about how the building’s design and construction benefit the environment and its occupants. Contact Lorenzo Rodriguez at (+63) 917-852-6884. For more information on leasing, send us an email at info@kmcmaggroup.com or reach out to us through (+632) 8403-5519.
As part of JEG Development Corporation’s commitment to a holistic promotion of health and well-being, the company continues to invest in state-of-the-art technology that ensures the safety and protection of its tenants especially in the new normal.
Designed and constructed with the Cebuanos in mind, JEG Tower @ One Acacia offers more than its green features and amenities that contribute lesser negative impacts to the environment. Named as 2020’s Best Commercial Green Development, the 22-storey LEED Pre-certified Silver establishment utilizes one of the top-grade technologies to encourage proper and effective handwashing: the Dyson Airblade.
The Dyson Airblade is a sensor-operated, touch-free hand dryer that is equipped with the HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filtration system that purifies the air that is used to dry hands.
The Department of Health (DOH) has emphasized that along with wearing face masks and physical distancing, proper hand hygiene remains one of the best defenses against the coronavirus. It also reduces the spread of bacteria and other harmful threats to the environment. This is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as studies found that the virus can ‘stay alive’ and be transmitted through surfaces.
Touch-free Technology
Dyson Airblade utilizes an infrared LED sensor technology that reduces skin to skin contact after washing hands. This touch-free system encourages the most hygienic user experience that is programmed to automatically detect and trigger HEPA purified air for drying.
Studies also show that damp hands can carry and transfer up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands. With a 10-14 second dry time, Dyson Airblade hand dryers can reduce the transmission of bacteria up to 40%.
The Restroom Environment
Research has found that viruses can also thrive in indoor environments with poor air circulation and lower indoor air quality. Dyson Airblade hand dryers are built with HEPA filters that are proven to capture 99.97% of particles, including bacteria and viruses in the air. This helps in minimizing the duration of exposure to any potential infectious materials in any enclosed space.
Lower environmental impact
The Dyson Airblade hand dryers are also aligned with JDC’s push for green real estate and sustainability. This technology cuts up carbon dioxide emissions by up to 85% compared to other hand dryers. More than 90% of the hand dryer’s emissions come from in-use, meaning a faster drying cycle and less energy used. Energy-efficient hand dryers such as the Dyson Airblade also encourages up to 85% less usage of paper towels which means fewer trees are cut down and used in production.
Want to learn more about this technology? Reach out to Michael Glindro at (+63) 917-584-0443. You may also contact us at (+63) 2-8403-55-19 or info@kmcmaggroup.com.
Investing in technology that is geared towards sustainability and resilience will be the standard for commercial and residential properties, moving forward. In fact, the United Nations has prepared a roadmap to towards sustainability until the year 2030. This report covers multiple areas of the society — from governance, the economy, and urban planning and design. Recent global events have also raised the discussion of pushing for green real estate and technology to promote the health and general wellbeing of communities around the world.
Sustainability in real estate has long been a standing movement in the industry. More awareness and campaigns have been made to encourage the shift towards sustainability as the United Nations Environment Programme reported that the building sector has the potential to make energy savings of 50% or more in 2050. The US Energy Information Administration also supported this claim as the organization reported that this increased demand for energy was driven by residential and commercial establishments.
The discourse on the importance of uplifting the health and wellness of building occupants was also raised as the world combats the COVID-19 pandemic. Various workplace protocols and guidelines were modified and implemented to protect the safety of public and common spaces, including the workplace. Buildings are also optimizing their technology and design to prevent another health crisis in the future.
In the Philippines, green real estate is starting to become the new standard in the residential and commercial sector. According to the Urban Land Institute (ULI), green markets tend to thrive in developing economies, and the Philippines is now transitioning into a culture that advocates sustainable design and technologies.
The Building Owners and Managers Association of the Philippines noted that the government are also starting to create policies that will benefit the green movement in real estate. Eduardo Manahan, the organization’s chairman said that the country is on the road to building greener and smarter communities.
“We have a law pending in Congress about green building, and we are also in the process of approving the revision of the National Building Code,” Manahan said in a 2018 interview. “Once approved, everybody should follow, and the buildings should be compliant with these things,” he added.
The shift towards more sustainable and greener developments will also make the country a more globally attractive investment destination for commerce and real estate. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has also released policy-making guidelines for countries to support green growth and development in different sectors.
JEG Development Corporation is one of the frontrunners of sustainable real estate in Cebu and in the Philippines. It’s first high-rise commercial development, JEG Tower @ One Acacia is set to be one of the first premium green buildings within the Cebu Busines District.
“JEG Tower is one of a new crop of office developments in Cebu that are raising the standards of buildings in our city,” JDC Estate and Business Development Manager Stefan Garcia explains. “Our company has placed a lot of resources to build the best workspace in the city.”
From the building’s design to the construction processes, and operations, JEG Tower is energy efficient and environmentally friendly. It is also one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified structures. It is currently pre-certified at the Silver level for building design and construction (LEED BD+C). The Tower will also operationalize using less water and electrical power than many of the structures currently in the city’s central business district. It is expected to emit less in terms of dangerous greenhouse gases.
Want to learn more about Philippine Real Estate’s shift towards sustainability?
The role of health has taken the spotlight as the government, along with other industries have been taking the initial steps to the new normal. More emphasis has been given to creating resilient and sustainable buildings that will further support the promotion of public health and wellness, especially in the workplace.
Sustainability has been an enduring trend in real estate for decades. Aside from the negative health and economic effects, the COVID-19 pandemic also revealed how massive the impact of economic activity and building & construction has on the environment.
According to the Urban Land Institute (ULI), healthy design and construction of green buildings should be prioritized now more than ever as they do not only key determinants of market competitiveness and investment appeal, but as more private estates aim to make sustainable and green real estate the standard in the Philippines.
Some publications have been suggesting that sustainability in real estate should be the new norm and should be the new standard post-pandemic. Optimizing residential and commercial structures to promote health and hygiene, and at the same time, contribute lesser negative impacts to the environment should be the focus of shift in the real estate landscape in the Philippines.
Sustainable buildings, especially those that are certified by LEED, WELL, or BERDE in the country implements specialized measures that do not only prevent disease and potential outbreaks in the future but greatly contribute to the security and protection of public health in communities.
Buildings and public spaces play a huge role in disease prevention and control. From its design to operations, buildings contribute to the battle against the spread of viruses in workplaces and offices. While other commercial establishments will only start to adapt to these newer standards after the coronavirus outbreak, sustainable and green buildings that were already certified by programs such as LEED have long been uplifting the quality of the work environment and promoting the health and well-being of their tenants.
Driven to push forward this initiative to become the new standard, JEG Development Corporation (JDC) has specifically partnered with Casas+Architects to design this 22-floor tower towards sustainability, using environment-friendly materials and would operationalize as energy-efficient as possible.
JEG Tower @ One Acacia has been one of the few commercial establishments in Cebu City that advocates for the overall health and wellness—not only of their tenants but the community as a whole. Earning its Silver pre-certification even before launching, this is JEG Tower’s commitment to the continuous betterment and upliftment of their fellow Cebuano’s lives, especially now after a pandemic.
In addition, JEG Tower was designed in such a way that tenants are also encouraged to lead a more sustainable lifestyle for themselves, not just as a defense against potential health crises in the future. This is also part of the general mission of JDC to improve life in Cebu City.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a healthy community is a prepared community. The best way of preparing for potential outbreaks in the future is by ensuring that the health of the overall community. Envisioned as one of the most preferred work locations for Cebuanos, JEG Tower @ One Acacia will not only offer office spaces that will boost employee productivity but also provide a space where their health and well-being is the main priority.
