Architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF) has announced the opening of Hysan Place, the first building in Hong Kong to be pre-certified LEED Platinum Building – the highest level. The building is located in the heart of Hong Kong’s glamorous shopping grounds—Causeway Bay. Hysan Place, which was developed by well-known commercial landlord Hysan, is the first Grade-A office building to be introduced to Causeway Bay in 15 years.
LEED Platinum Buildings are the highest level of certification that can be awarded by the United States Green Building Council. The rating system was designed to promote construction and design practices that increase profitability while reducing negative impacts on the environment as well as improving occupant health and well-being.
The impressive building is a 36-story mixed-use office and retail building, including 4 additional basement levels adding up to atotal of 710,00 square feet. The unique design of the building was intended to enrich its occupant’s health and productivity by enhancing day lighting, offering individual occupant control of natural ventilation and public access to the building’s sky gardens.
The majority of the project was developed as a series of shifting forms, each designed to optimize individual internal planning of the spaces within the building. The forms generate vertical gardens that reach over the height of the building. This distinctive concept provides multi-story rooftop cases for users and openings for breezes to pass through the building.
LEED Platinum Buildings in Hong Kong
Courtesy of E-Architect
The aim of Hysan Place was to design the building that was progressive in terms of its sustainable features and one that will remain competitive through planning flexibility within the building.
Due to the building’s LEED Platinum certification, the construction was done in an environmentally safe manner with special attention given to resource waste management. The building also incorporates environment-friendly features such as reduced carbon dioxide emissions, provision of more options in creating a sustainable work environment.