The PARQ has been awarded LEED Gold certification, making the building the first mixed-use development in Thailand to receive LEED v4 BD+C: (LEED Version 4 in Building Design and Construction) Core and Shell certification.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building rating system to promote environmental-conscious design and construction practices established by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED v4 is the latest version of the rating system and is a next generation standard for sustainable green building design and construction.
“To be the first mixed-use project in Thailand to be certified by the latest v4 LEED Gold standard accentuates the position of The PARQ as a truly smart, integrated office, commercial and lifestyle spaces with the cutting edge of eco-friendly and sustainable technologies,” said Kamolnai Chaixanien, Executive Director of TCC Assets (Thailand).
The PARQ Project was developed with a focus on sustainability and the well-being of the community right from the beginning. Every component of the building’s core and shell is designed in response to the LEED standard, an internationally recognised standard for evaluating green building. We believe that this accreditation will pave the way for more sustainable green building developments in Thailand, while raising the bar on building standards in the country to address energy efficiency, water conservation, site selection, material selection, day lighting and waste reduction.
The PARQ is developed by TCC Assets and Frasers Property Holdings (Thailand) Co., Ltd., part of Frasers Property Group. It is also Thailand’s first commercial building to be equipped with intelligent sensors and IoT integration in office lighting, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lamps in air conditioning system as well as waste management initiatives for all waste streams. The property also boasts the country’s highest in-building commercial chiller plant efficiency for a commercial building and highest number of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in office building group.
Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, Managing Director, Southeast Asia and Middle East, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), said that the PARQ’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership and is sure to serve as an international model for both Thailand and the rest of the Southeast Asia region. The LEED rating system was created to make the world a better place and revolutionise our buildings and communities by providing people with access to healthy, green and high performing buildings.
The PARQ’s LEED v4 Gold certification, and its status as the first mixed-use building in Thailand to achieve under LEED v4 BD+C: Core and Shell, is a shining example of how the innovativeness of project teams can lead to local solutions that contribute to making a global difference.
“We at GBCI applaud the teams who worked on this prestigious project which sets a benchmark in Thailand and beyond,” said Gopalakrishnan.
With sustainable design principles applied throughout the 130,000-sqm building, The PARQ is an integration of smart office, retail lifestyle and environmental resource management using the guideline set by seven key focus areas of LEED, with details as follows:
Location and Transportation: The urban location of The PARQ means the project offers high connection to diverse uses while causing no disturbance to ecologically sensitive area. Conveniently connected to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) MRT line, the project promotes public transportation use while allowing for a variety of commute options, and encouraging sustainable personal transportation. EV charging units are provided to support drivers with electric cars whilebicycle racks as well as changing and shower rooms are available to provide convenience for bicycle users.
Sustainable Site: With design for sustainability, habitat and the city in mind, The PARQ offers generous area of space and greenery as a perfect place for outdoor activities and restoring habitat. It offers vegetation, tree shades and water features that creates a comfortable outdoor environment. Light-colored paving and roofing help alleviate rising urban air temperature while light shielding minimises light pollution by blocking uplight into the sky and light trespass to the surroundings.
Water Efficiency: The PARQ is designed to reduce resource consumption and pollution from producing and treating water. Indoor water-saving fixtures help reduce water demand by 40%. Outdoor water use leverages recycled water to reduce the demand of municipal potable water and dripping irrigation system for less water loss. Water submetering system is installed as long-term water management to monitor and improve the building performance during operations.
Energy and Atmosphere: The PARQ aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with energy efficiency features. These include high-performance façade with insulating glass that cuts down the solar heat by 75%, insulated walls , exceptionally high-efficiency chiller plant at 0.56 kW/RT and electronically commutated fan in the air handling units. High-tech lighting controls are equipped with sensors and an Internet-of-Things platform automatically controls lighting levels when natural daylight suffices or if the room is unoccupied, all remotely controlled through a mobile application.
Materials and Resources: Construction materials at The PARQ are carefully selected with environmental consideration and information disclosure regarding their recycled content, toxic emission and life-cycle ecological impacts. Waste management utilises recyclable waste sorting process, while an innovative food waste composting system converts waste to compost within 24 hours with heat and biocatalyst. The building also features a cutting-edge dust drum for hygienic waste handling for convenient waste storing and transporting for the municipality.
Indoor Environmental Quality: The PARQ offers superior air quality with fresh air supply that is 30% higher than international standards. Air quality is monitored by airflow and carbon dioxide sensors. Window glass allows 40% of useful daylight into the space while reducing solar heat. Its open floor plate also allows tenants to fit out their spaces with access to outside view.
Innovation: The design and operation of The PARQ adopt innovations beyond what LEED requires. Transportation monitoring systems are able to track parking, count visitors and regular occupants and monitor transportation choices with frequency and detail. Fertilisers from the on-site food waste composter can replace the use of chemical fertilisers in landscape management with less contamination in soil and water, thereby creating safer environment for building occupants.
With greater focus on health and hygienic in the wake of the pandemic, The PARQ has implemented touchless technologies including QR code payments; automated card exchange machines and deep cleaning measures – so as to create a convenient and safe journey for both tenants and visitors.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change our way of life, having a healthy environment in office buildings becomes a key factor for people as they prepare for re-entry to the workplace and lifestyle spaces. We foresee greater demand for workplaces and commercial spaces that promote the wellbeing of occupants,
said Kamolnai.
The PARQ, as a fully integrated building created with people-centricity and environmental sustainability principles in mind, is keen to embrace the returning livelihood of urban working people and the community.
Additionally, The PARQ Life, the premium lifestyle retail space at The PARQ, also joined force with its tenants including restaurants, cafes and lifestyle retail stores and service outlets to launch campaigns and organize activities to highlight eco-friendly and sustainability concept and practices to celebrate the remarkable achievement of receiving the latest LEED v4 Gold BD+C certification.
LEED and WELL are leading accreditations that will soon be the standard as consumers seek sustainability and better well-being. As a pioneer of the LEED and WELL movement in Thailand, The PARQ paves the way for more developers to join the sustainability journey and help build the vision of Bangkok as the next sustainable regional business hub.
The PARQ recently won Best Office Development Award, and Thailand’s Best Commercial Green Development award at PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards 2020. It also topped three categories at the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2020, having clinched Best Office Development, Best Office Architectural Design and Best Green Development. In addition, it received the “Special Recognition Award, Green Innovation” award from Dot Property Thailand Awards 2020 for being the best green development project in Thailand.
With its recent LEED Gold v4 certification, The PARQ is one step closer to becoming Thailand’s first mixed-use development to achieve both LEED and WELL standards. This positions The PARQ right at the intersection of innovative architecture and sustainable design in a fully integrated building, redefining what it means to work, live and play in Bangkok.
