Published : Monday, January 16, 2012 00:00 [ manilatimes.net ]
Written by : KRISTA ANGELA M. MONTEALEGRE
SM Prime Holdings Inc. said its shopping center in Baguio would undergo a one-year redevelopment beginning this month, incorporating environment friendly features in an effort to make it the first internationally certified green mall in the country.
In a statement, the country’s biggest mall developer said the renovated SM City Baguio would have seven-level open-air retail, dining and entertainment destination, relying almost exclusively on natural ventilation for the mall’s public spaces.
Located at the heart of Baguio City, the expansion will add another 76,000 square meters to the existing mall of 106,000 square meters. SM Baguio has partnered with the US Green Building Council as part of its adherence to a sustainable environment. “The project aims to be the first mall in the country to be certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the internationally recognized standard for green building design and construction developed by the USGBC,” SM Prime said.
“It is also designed to receive a LEED Gold Rating that requires the implementation and documentation of achievement of a minimum of 60 of the listed points, subject to the review and approval of the Green Building Council,” it added.
A primary amenity of the expanded SM City Baguio will be an expansive Roof Garden, which will use the Green Roof Technology to create an environment for vegetation growth that is” as close to the plant’s natural environment as possible even though there is no direct contact with nature ground.” The interior spaces of SM City Baguio allows for generous daylight to penetrate deep into the common areas of the mall, greatly reducing the need for energy-consuming artificial lighting. If artificial lighting is needed, the mall will use LED and Compact Fluorescent Lamps.
Ceiling fans will be located throughout the mall’s public areas instead of artificial air conditioning.
SM City Baguio will provide an additional mall entrance along Governor Pack Road, encouraging the use of energy-efficient public transit. For customers arriving by automobile, almost 1,000 additional underground parking spaces will be provided below the expansion, removing them from public view and from surrounding streets.
A water reservoir with a capacity of 4,380 cubic meters will be located at the lowest level of the expansion building where it will occupy about 2,190 square meters. This aims to alleviate problems caused by heavy rains in the drainage system within the area. Park finders using LED is also incorporated in the design for customers to easily locate parking and lessen the fuel consumption.
SM City Baguio has received the necessary permits to re-ball and relocate 142 trees in the area. Of the 142 trees, 80 will be planted in the mall premises and the rest will be turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources compound for replanting. The mall will also conduct massive tree planting efforts in the city, also in coordination with DENR.
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