Recognizing that the construction and maintenance of residential buildings play a significant role in the reduction of carbon footprint, RLC Residences prioritizes green building practices, energy-efficient designs, and the use of sustainable materials.
“As a real estate developer, our properties are committed to ensuring that developments are ecologically sustainable, energy-efficient, and resilient. This is the commitment, coming from our CEO Lance Gokongwei, across all businesses and corporations under the Gokongwei Group. We are contributing our efforts in the care and preservation of our environment,” said Architect Conrad C. Erfe, RLC Residences head of planning and design, at the Manila Bulletin Sustainability Forum held in UP Diliman.
RLC’s commitment to sustainability is to attain a million square meters (gross floor area) of net zero carbon and resilient condo projects by 2031. To achieve this goal, the property developer has adopted several approaches across all of its projects.
To maximize daylight and help minimize unwanted heat transfer in closed areas, RLC properties have a high window-to-wall ratio and cost-efficient LED lighting.
Natural ventilation features encourage efficient airflow in common areas and inverter-type air conditioning units are highly energy-efficient in cooling the buildings.
The properties have installed low-flow and aerated plumbing fixtures, and dual-flush toilets to conserve water consumption. Greywater from the rainwater harvesting systems replaces the water coming from the municipal water supply.
Efficient landscaped trees, plants, and grass remove carbon from the air, reduce air pollution, and create oxygen.
The sewage treatment plant (STP) manages and treats the wastewater for reuse or safe disposal.
EV charging stations are made available to support the eco-friendly practices of residents.
Standards in sustainability
As a guide to meet its commitment to sustainability, RLC Residence sought the EDGE (Excellence Design for Greater Efficiencies) Green building certification system developed by World Banks’ International Finance Corporation.
As a global standard backed by the biggest financial institutions in the world, EDGE certifications are designed to make buildings more resource-sufficient by focusing on measurable reductions in energy use like electricity, water consumption, and embodied energy in materials, or the energy consumed by the properties associated with the production of building materials.
“We decided to use EDGE certification across all of our projects. It is also easier to express the output scores into more practical and day-to-day benefits since the certification translates into actual savings in energy,” shared Erfe.
Le Pont Residences in Bridgetowne Destination Estate recently received its preliminary EDGE Advanced certification. This is a testament to the developer’s commitment to sustainable development and its leadership in pursuing a more resource-efficient future. Based on its planned design, Le Pont Residences is expected to achieve at least 40 percent energy savings, 20 percent water savings, and 20 percent less embodied energy in materials compared to a conventional building. The standard EDGE certification requires only 20 percent savings in the said criteria. In addition, the property will be installed with a rainwater harvesting system and water-efficient fixtures.
In Cebu, Mantawi Residences has earned the preliminary EDGE certification, a first for a condominium project in the province. Its high window-to-wall ratio, LED lighting, and use of inverter-type air conditioning units allow natural lighting and ventilation resulting in reduced energy consumption. It also adopted the use of reflective roofs to decrease the building’s internal heat and help cool the building.
Aside from the same facilities for lighting, ventilation, and water conservation, solar panels and greywater facilities were incorporated in Sierra Valley Gardens in Cainta, Rizal. Its solar power panels will reduce energy costs while recycled greywater will be utilized in non-potable applications such as in flushing or watering landscapes. Its hydroponic farm will produce crops for hotels and restaurants.
Forbes Estate in Lipa, Batangas has wide window openings to welcome natural lighting and LED lights within the clubhouse as well as solar panels on the roof. Its rainwater harvesting system irrigates the landscaped areas and the water detention tank temporarily holds and manages excess stormwater, preventing flooding in the vicinity.
Upcoming green projects
RLC is currently studying alternatives in the construction and maintenance of buildings to further reduce their ecological footprint.
In the future, its building walls may be fitted with vertical gardens to act as natural air filters that absorb pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide, and release oxygen to improve air quality
The property developer is also looking into Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) that allows the integration of solar panels on flat roofs or curved roofs, semi-transparent facades, skylights, shading systems, external walls, and curtain walls. BIPV for roofs provides shelter and generates electricity. As a canopy structure or skylight, BIPV i natural lighting. When attached as a curtain wall, BIPV improves thermal insulation while generating electrical power.