RESEARCH:

ZUELLIG
BUILDING’S
GREEN AND
SUSTAINABLE
FEATURES
I. Introduction
As known, The Zuellig Building is the first “Green” building in
Makati City that has achieved LEED Platinum certificate under
the Leader-ship for Energy and Environmental De-sign Core and
Shell (LEED-CS) program of the U.S. Green Building Council. It
was also the first building that was pre-certified LEED before it
was constructed. As it stands with many green features and
sustainable technology such as double glazed Low Emission
glass, rainwater harvesting facilities, low-flow plumbing fixtures
and more. We want to explore more of this building for us to
know the benefits of having a green and sustainable building,
learning from this and the mentors as we can apply it to our
future designs.
II. Background
The Zuellig Building, a commercial, single-owner multi-tenanted
office building is the first premium office tower in the Philippines
to be erected since 2000. Located at a prominent intersection in
Manila’s Makati Central Business District, the 33-story, 160-
meter-tall building is notable for its environmentally conscious
design, distinctive facade, and superior finishes. It is designed by
Architect W. V. Coscolluela & Associates. Zuellig Building is a
finalist on MIPIM Asia Awards 2012, in the “Best Office and
Business Development” category. The structure combines a
fantastic setting, world-class design, and green technologies.
Zuellig said “Our design brief is quite simple,” then added. “We
just want a very efficient office building. Apart from space
efficiency, we want something that complies with the
expectations of the 21st century, where sustainability is a big
factor.”
Transportation in Zuellig Building also contributes to carbon
emission.

The location allows the tenants to easily connect and access to

public transportation. Bicycle stands and showers are included
for office users who chooses to pedal to work than using burning
fuel. Inside the building, about 90% of natural light covers the
office space. Carbon dioxide sensors manage and adjust the
airflow, and the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) governs the choice of
construction materials to eliminate health concerns of volatile
organic compounds.
III. Features
What makes Zuellig Building green/climate responsive design:

- A double-paned low-emissivity curtain wall, with a ceramic frit

pattern, minimizes solar heat gain and energy loss while allowing
90 % of interior spaces to have access to natural light and views.
- The frit pattern references local organic motifs and reinforces
the vertical proportions of the tower.
- A sensor-controlled lighting system, an efficient HVAC system,
greywater recycling, and rainwater collection.
- The dual pane low-e glazing in conjunction with the fritting
ensures minimal solar gain and energy loss whilst
simultaneously flooding 90% of the interior office space with
natural daylight.
- Paper recycling facility that encourages workplace users to
recycle their paper trash.
- A smart building control system that utilizes sensor controlled
lighting systems in combination with efficient HVAC systems
has helped to reduce the buildings overall energy consumption
by 15% when compared to conventional office towers.
- The double-paned, low emissivity (low-E) glass system allows
90 percent of internal spaces to have daylight, reducing solar
heat gain and energy loss while increasing natural light
penetration.
- CO2 censors modulates airflow according to the number of
inhabitants, superior indoor air quality is ensured all times.
- Smart building control system that uses sensor-controlled
lighting systems with efficient HVAC systems has helped to cut
the buildings overall energy usage to 15%.
- Grey water recycling and rainwater collection are expected to
save roughly 29 million liter of water each year.
Energy efficiency

To reduce overall energy consumption the building is equipped

with a double glazed Low-E curtain wall, daylight dimming
sensors, motion sensors and high efficiency building
management and air-conditioning systems.

Indoor Environment Quality

An efficient central air conditioning system regulates and co2

sensors regulate the supply and flow of fresh air.
Water Efficiency

A rainwater harvesting and grey water system and the low-

flow/water saving fixtures help achieve high water efficiency.

Materials and Resources

The building is equipped with a dedicated area for the collection

and storage of materials for recycling (ie. Paper, corrugated
cardboard, glass, plastics and metal).
Double-Glazed Ceramic Frit Façade

The Simplicity of expression is achieved with the all-glass façade

and the use of large floor-to-ceiling glazed panels. The tower gains
its identity from the ceramic frit pattern of the glass curtain wall.
Inspired by bamboo and flowing water, this distinctive texture
refers to a local organic motifs and serves to supplement the
shading capabilities of the building envelope. The double panned,
low emissivity glass system ensures that heat gain and energy
loss are minimized, while penetration of natural light is
maximized. The free standing plan allows offices to be fitted out so
that over 90% of all work stations will benefit from daylight and
outdoor views.
Energy-Efficient Systems

Variable-speed drives for chilled water pumps reduce energy

consumption during off-peak hours.

Water Efficiency

Water conservations efforts include the efficient management of

potable water, selection of efficient fittings and fixtures, the
capture of rain and condensate water, use of water-saving
surface materials, and the installation of proper drainage and
irrigation systems.
Power Saving Lighting

A daylight dimming system relying on photocells maintains the

necessary lighting levels in common spaces by reducing electric
lighting, based on the intensity of daylight in the space. All office
areas can be equipped with occupancy sensors to adjust lighting
use to occupancy levels

Indoor Air Quality

CO2 sensors are placed in densely occupied areas and return-air

ducts to indicate the number of occupants and the quality of
fresh air in the space. The outside airflow is modulated
according to the estimated number of occupants in the space.
References:
https://www.scribd.com/document/345778004/Zuellig-building-Case-study-Green-
building-ABC-
pdf?fbclid=IwAR2mdZav10ei6_SSraVs_ZMD1lbeJ4nUYW3ePhgz4ge_damN8huOPuEMFS
w

https://architizer.com/projects/the-zuellig-
building/?fbclid=IwAR1UbImCcOE5icLNf3siLvTlubsgbJtxsxcI1UhFkrKl392jkJo8aTlNhwM

https://zuelligbuilding.com/green-by-design/

https://kmcmaggroup.com/building/Zuellig-Building/
http://www.asiagreenbuildings.com/6524/philippines-zuellig-building-earns-
platinum-leed-certification/
https://alexyvergara.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/zuellig-building-combines-
environment-friendly-and-21st-century-features-in-one-beautiful-package/
https://ongreening.com/en/Projects/zuellig-building-1194#sustainability