The first LEED Gold certification in Hungary has been awarded to Skanska's offices in Népliget Center. Under the internationally respected Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) classification system, not only buildings but also office interiors are classified according to their environmentally conscious design. Office buildings developed by Skanska around the world are always designed and built to comply with strict sustainability and environmental demands.
Participation in the LEED system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is voluntary and there are four different levels of classification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Besides office buildings, the LEED Commercial Interior category is used for the classification of office interiors. Certification focuses on the sustainability of the building where the offices are located, the materials that are used, water and energy efficiency and CO2 emissions.
Skanska's offices in Népliget Center met all the criteria well. Numerous energy-efficient solutions have been installed such as the individually controlled lighting system which is equipped with presence sensors and light level sensors. Continuous reports on electricity consumption levels are to be sent to the USGBC over the following year. Among the factors contributing to the outstanding result are natural light sources illuminating the work stations, furniture made from wood that comes from certified sources, water-saving toilets, energy-efficient electronic equipment, excellent public transportation and bicycle access as well as the use of sub-contractors certified to ISO 14001.
"For a long time, Skanska has designed its developments with environmental awareness at the forefront”, says Andreas Lindelöf, Managing Director of Skanska Property Hungary. "Having our offices certified LEED Gold demonstrates our commitment to create efficient and healthy working environments for our tenants. By making it possible for our tenants to rent sustainable premises, we feel certain we can make way for their increasing employee efficiency, reducing absence through illness and related costs”
The Népliget Center, completed in 2010, is also an EU certified Green Building which verifies that the building uses 25% less energy compared to the local regulations in Hungary. With its latest development project - the Green House - under construction in Budapest's 13th District, Skanska is aiming to achieve LEED Platinum Certification: the highest rating in the system. The project is already LEED Platinum pre-certified.
Skanska Commercial Development Europe initiates and develops property projects in office, logistics and commercial buildings. The company´s operations are concentrated in metropolitan areas in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland and are conducted in three local units: Skanska Property Hungary, Skanska Property Czech Republic and Skanska Property Poland.