The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspxCMSPageID=222) rating system has been applied to the Singapore market because of HOK (www.hok.com)'s commitment and innovation in applying sustainable principles to its new office design.
“ We're investing in renewable energy development in China that will generate clean energy, and we're also helping to raise general awareness about the need to reduce carbon emission... ”
HOK's Singapore office earned a Silver designation in the LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) system and is the first project in Singapore to achieve LEED certification. HOK offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai also are pursuing LEED certification for their recent expansion and renovation projects, with final certification expected later in 2008.
Designed, detailed and documented entirely in-house, the Singapore office's contemporary environment delivers natural light, clean air quality, integrated recycling management, excellent views and low energy usage. The team achieved these outcomes at no additional cost than a standard office fit-out project.
"We hope to set a convincing example to everyone in the industry that green architecture and interior design can be completely affordable," says Nicola Greenaway, director of the HOK Singapore office.
The project also embodies HOK's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint through a two-year renewable energy contract that offsets greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 100 percent of the electrical usage of all of HOK's Asia/Pacific offices. These carbon offsets purchased from a China wind farm will supply clean power to a local grid, displacing "dirty" power that would otherwise be generated by fossil fuel plants.
"We're investing in renewable energy development in China that will generate clean energy, and we're also helping to raise general awareness about the need to reduce carbon emissions," says HOK Architect Peggy Chu, who oversaw the LEED research and documentation process. "We agreed that we should be supporting the development of clean renewable energy projects in Asia."
The HOK Singapore office represents the firm's 21st project to earn LEED recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council. Other HOK offices that have achieved LEED-CI certification include HOK Toronto (Gold), HOK San Francisco and HOK St. Louis.
Established by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. It provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED promotes strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
HOK (www.hok.com) is a global architectural firm that specializes in planning, design and delivery solutions for buildings and communities. Through its collaborative network of 26 offices worldwide, the firm serves diverse clients within the corporate, commercial, public and institutional markets. HOK is committed to developing resources and expertise to help lead the world toward sustainable communities and building environments (www.hok.com/sustainabledesign/). Founded in 1955, the firm's expertise includes architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, lighting, graphics, facilities planning and assessment and construction services.
Contact:
Mike Plotnick
314.754.4315
mike.plotnick @ hok.com
