Developer Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) believes EDGE, or the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, a green building certification system focused on making new residential and commercial buildings more resource-efficient, has given the company an added advantage.
Engr. Giuseppe Garofalo, IDC project manager for construction said EDGE, an innovation of the International Finance Corp., helped the company as far as developing sustainable projects are concerned.
EDGE allows design teams and project owners to assess the most cost-effective ways to incorporate energy and water saving options into homes, hotels, hospitals, offices and retail spaces.
Projects that achieve a 20 percent projected reduction in use of energy, water and embodied energy in materials, compared to conventional buildings, are eligible for EDGE certification.
Meeting the standard
EDGE is comprised of a web-based software application, a universal standard and a certification system.
Garofalo said that in order to be certified, IDC has to meet the standard.
To achieve energy efficiency, Garofalo said IDC uses water ventilation using a shading system from the sun, water recycling from the sewerage treatment plant (STP), and rainwater harvesting.
The water running from building is recycled to water green areas.
Garofalo said IDC gathers all the information and data from the wind, the sun and wind exposure and it designs with the parametric model and put into consideration how the building should be oriented.
“After putting all these considerations, we put on the best design for that building in that particular location,” the official said.
Green commitment
IDC is integrating passive green architecture features to a building that can result in saving energy and provide a cooler environment. It uses the energy sourced from the solar panel to maintain the quality of the common area.
Garofalo also added that one advantage of IDC from its competitors is its green commitment. It is the only developer in Cagayan de Oro that seriously thinks sustainable development.
“We are the only developer that delivers a true green building and this is why IDC stands out among the rest. IDC’s projects are meticulously designed to conserve energy and enhance natural resources such as ventilation and sunlight. Its Italian influence is an undeniable add-on feature,” Garofalo said.
IDC is presently constructing the first phase, Citta Verde of the Primavera City project in Cagayan de Oro (Shown in photo). Expansion plans are being readied for the second, third and fourth phase development.
Pioneering sustainable projects in Mindanao
Claire Marie Asuncion Elizaga, director for corporate affairs and branding for Primavera City IDC said the Cagayan de Oro project has been receiving a warm reception from the market because IDC is pioneering the development of sustainable projects in the country.
“We know other developers have integrated green components in their projects but for IDC all our projects are green-centric,” Elizaga said.
“The reception of the market is enthusiasm over a new innovation, because we were the first in developing this type of building in Mindanao area. All our properties are green. We have both active and passive green technologies to date,” she said.
At the same, Elizaga said IDC has a social obligation the need to keep educating the public because green technology is still new in the market.
She said the company pursues an “informal” corporate social responsibility (CSR) program to promoting sustainable architecture to students pursuing architecture.
“Whenever we are able to touch base with students, it is the company’s passion to share what it is,” Elizaga said.
IDC currently has partnerships with the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro, Xavier University and Lyceum University of the Philippines in Alabang.
Furthermore, the company is also conducting talks with students in real estate management courses about green building and its advantages in conserving and re-using energy and water.
Higher resale value, a come-on
Elizaga said being an EDGE-certified building gives a high-resale value for the owner because it can withstand the impact of climate change.
“If you look 10 years from now, IDC is confident that their buildings will be in a better shape compared to the standard buildings,” she said.
Both Elizaga and Garofalo agreed “that people are leaning more on green development and healthy options now.”
They said “educating” the buyers on green buildings 10 years back was much harder but today, it is a conscious decision on the part of the buyer to buy a green project.
