BREEAM rating Outstanding for International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong
Overview
The International Commerce Centre (abbreviated ICC) is a 108-storey, 484 m (1,588 ft) commercial skyscraper located at 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong with total GFA of 2,822,039 sq. ft. It is a part of the Union Square project on top of Kowloon Station and is developed by Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. It underwent a BREEAM In-Use assessment and received a rating of Outstanding.
Background
The BREEAM In-Use assessment was chosen because it offers an thorough auditing service. This audit was commissioned and carried out to identify any deficiencies in management aspect of the building.
Solutions
The ICC team leverages smart technologies, such as an intelligent management system to monitor and control the operation and energy consumption of different facilities and equipment. The team utilises Internet of Things (IoT) technology to analyse big data collected through a mobile digital system for energy efficiency optimisation in the building.
Multi-level energy enhancement measures including smart control, energy metering, high efficiencies installations are being implemented throughout ICC such as chiller plant optimisation, lift pattern analysis and smart control, high efficient lighting with occupancy sensors and centralise controls etc. Since 2012, through various energy saving measures, ICC has conserved 15 million kWh of energy, equivalent to the total annual electricity consumption of more than 4,500 three-member households, and a reduction of 10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The ICC is also constructed with double glazed with low E-coating curtain wall to achieve natural lighting for low-carbon operation. At the same time, the ICC team proactively engages the community by collaborating with tenants and stakeholders in green and energy-saving initiatives to help achieve sustainable development. With the continuous efforts of the management team, ICC is the first building in Hong Kong to be certified by BREEAM In-Use.
Benefits
The ICC managed to score 5 out of the 7 categories scores higher than 90% with full marks under Management, Land Use & Ecology and Pollution aspect.
The ICC managed to score 5 out of the 7 categories scores higher than 90% with full marks under Management, Land Use & Ecology and Pollution aspect.
With the help of the tool, the project was able to estimate the portion related to the common area energy consumption for BREEAM to assess against its rating tool and compared against other BREEAM In-Use certified projects. BREEAM certification has numerous criteria that helped with long-term planning. For example, a long-term biodiversity enhancement plan has been created, where greeneries with high biodiversity values will be planted.
Furthermore, a long-term refrigerant replacement plan has also been established along with chiller retrofitting works, so that a more environmentally-friendly refrigerant can be used in the future. A holistic energy monitoring system is currently under planning in order to comprehensively monitor the energy use of the entire building.
Mr. Lo King-wai, General Manager of office leasing at Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency shared, “Reaching the highest BREEAM In-Use International rating is a testament to ICC’s outstanding green management standards, which are at the top of the industry and exceed international levels. This demonstrates SHKP’s commitment to sustainable management and its success in thoroughly meeting the sustainability requirements of its environmentally conscious tenants.”
Another spokesperson for the project shared, “After going through the BREEAM In-Use process, the importance of having building operating data continuously monitored, logged and analysed were reiterated, including building’s consumption data, system operating parameters, air and water quality data will help the team continuous monitoring the live performance of the building but also the quickly identify the problem areas where immediate remedial can be taken at timely manner.”
