Costa Rica: Universal Tower wins “Sume by Saint Gobain” award for being a sustainable project

The Real Estate Portfolio projects seek to have a positive impact on the environment and communities; and, in this way, contribute to the sustainable development of cities. Torre Universal is one of the success stories, which was recently recognized with the Impulso SUMe award for Sustainable Building by Saint-Gobain, within the framework of the executive forum for climate actions "Building the Future" held in Mexico City.

In this first edition of the event, projects that have distinguished themselves for their contributions to sustainable building in Mexico and Latin America participated.

During the forum, the benefits of corporate buildings that point to sustainability strategies were highlighted. Among them, the following stand out: contribution to the physical and mental health of collaborators, increased competitiveness, greater connection with the public, improvement in the reputation of organizations, creation of synergies with other companies and generation of value for the community where the company operates. project.

Torre Universal has the LEED Certification for Building Design and Construction (LEED BD+C), this has allowed it to establish business relationships with companies that prioritize sustainability in business and was a weighty element to be chosen as the winning project of Impulso SUMe. Likewise, the awareness and education actions with tenants and visitors to the project were qualified, on topics such as comprehensive waste management, raising the baseline of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and the efficient use of resources. .

"For the Real Estate Portfolio, this award is very important at the Central American level, because it adds higher objectives and goals to us, to continue betting and complying with our standards, and positively impact the communities where we operate our projects," said Diana Villarreal, project director of Universal Tower.

The award in the category of sustainable offices considered the following criteria:

– Social impact: the way in which the project has had an impact on improving the quality of life of users is assessed, as well as its significance for the community. Torre Universal has a community relations strategy with the objective of contributing to a more sustainable and resilient city through innovation, talent development and inclusive economic opportunities, hand in hand with the recovery of spaces that improve interurban biological connectivity, the sustainable mobility and the appropriation of public space.

– Environmental impact: innovation is rated in aspects such as energy eco-efficiency, water management, biodiversity, decarbonization, life cycle, sustainable mobility, among others. For example, in Torre Universal alternative sources are implemented to preserve water resources. In the use of outdoor water, low-consumption vegetation was used, as well as an efficient irrigation system which reuses 100% of the water from the rain and groundwater collection tank, therefore, it is not necessary to use potable water for this end. In the case of indoor water consumption, a saving of 52% was achieved with respect to the baseline established by the LEED BD+C certification.

In addition, guidelines and guidelines were established that allowed 81.84% of the waste to be diverted from the landfill, through donation, reuse and recycling.

– Health and well-being: the project contributes to the health and well-being of people, considering air quality, lighting quality, inclusive design, among others. In Torre Universal, two of its facades are composed of a high-quality curtain wall which allows daylight access, as well as significant energy savings. The interior finishing materials such as: ceilings, floors and insulation have certifications endorsed by third parties, thus demonstrating compliance with the permitted limits of volatile organic compounds (TVOC), with which it is expected to offer occupants spaces where their health is priority and is not harmed.

Likewise, given that the health of the occupants is a fundamental part of sustainable buildings, racks for bicycles and showers for building users were installed, with the purpose of promoting alternative methods of transport and exercise, while reducing the CO2 emissions.

– Urban impact: Projects must have an urban impact; In the case of Torre Universal, it stands out that it is the first building to join the T-24 Innovation District of the Municipality of San José. This technological district is conceived so that the buildings are vertical, technological towers in which transnational and national companies, the academic sector and entrepreneurial hubs collaborate, promoting the economic and social development of the area.