Office buildings that win international green awards, such as LEED recognition, have become the top choices for companies in the post-pandemic world thanks to the advantages they offer in terms of health, safety, and comfortable working environments.

The event “Building with LEED – Leaders in Green”

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The real estate sector contributes a significant amount to global greenhouse gas and carbon emissions.  However, an unexpected Covid-related shift towards remote and hybrid work coupled with a heightened focus on climate change and investor interest in environmental, social, and governance initiatives have set the stage for the next phase of growth in non-residential green buildings. Office and mixed-use developers have transformed the industry with sustainability and green building initiatives and are poised to accelerate their impact post-pandemic.

Many companies have been focused on improvements across their portfolios through the use of environmental certifications. A study by University of California, Berkeley, found that LEED-certified buildings produce lower greenhouse gas emissions than their contemporaries. While this report is more than five years old, improvements in green technology have been recognized.

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Specifically, developers of office spaces around the world, including Vietnam, already understand how significant it is to put sustainability at the center of their designs and operations. There are many projects in the pipeline now being developed and constructed in order to obtain green credentials such as LEED Certification.

Ms. Nguyen Le Dung, Director of Viva Land’s Hanoi Office, said: “The unprecedented changes brought by COVID-19 have made occupiers become more focused on the quality of buildings and offices. Skylights, fresh air, and green spaces: they all contribute to better working experiences. With Covid, going green has become a design imperative. Occupier requirements are increasingly expanding in terms of wanting more than just office space, but also taking into account criteria around wellbeing, sustainability, and alternative ways of working.”

In July, Viva Land, together with leading green building consultancy firms and experts, hosted an exclusive event for enterprises at Capital Place, Hanoi, themed “Building with LEED – Leaders in Green”. The event provided the latest insights on office development and green certificated building trends on a global scale and in Vietnam. The event also introduced the leading green building project in Hanoi – Capital Place.

Besides sharing the requirements for a building to be LEED Certificated and updates on the latest green office trends in Vietnam, the event also answered questions about operational efficiency and the benefits that occupiers can enjoy when opting for a green certificated building. These insights shone light on the importance of being based in a green building, which not only optimizes operating costs but also improves the health and mental wellbeing of employees. 

Mr. Ong Khing Wee, Deputy CEO of Viva Land

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From a business viewpoint, Mr. Ong Khing Wee, Deputy CEO of Viva Land, said the shift in the perspectives of occupiers and employees towards green offices has created an opportunity for Capital Place.

As an international Grade A commercial building with world-class specifications that meet the strict requirements of green building standards as well as occupiers’ demands for green offices, he strongly believes that Capital Place is the stand-out development for tenants, providing a creative and inspiring workplace.

“In addition, with Viva Land’s experience of managing and developing various types of real estate, we will continue to improve service quality and help tenants to increase their brand awareness when they base their offices and workplaces here,” Ong Khing Wee said. 

Capital Place – The first Grade A office building in Hanoi achieved LEED Gold Certification

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Mr. Vu Hong Phong, a green building consultant from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) said: “Tenants are now more focused on green to enhance their operational efficiency. For example, a construction materials company in Ho Chi Minh City that has moved from a traditional building to a green certificated building was able to bring down energy costs by an average of 18% thanks to optimized energy usage."

Mr. Phong also highlighted the social impact of green buildings. Citing research conducted by the World Green Building Council, Mr. Phong said the introduction of green features to the office has a positive impact, particularly around the health, wellbeing and productivity of employees who spend a large proportion of their working week in the office. Aside from improving operational efficiency, green features also improve employee productivity, reduce absenteeism, and staff turnover.

In conclusion, the trend of green office development will continue to grow thanks to the increasing demand from not only investors but also from businesses themselves. Some of the benefits of working in a green certificated building are optimizing operational budgets, more efficient use of electricity and water, supporting businesses on reducing CO2 emissions, and improving employees’ health and wellness, which eventually helps to attract and retain talent.