A case study in sustainable construction

Innovative solutions for energy efficiency

In many ways, Waterfront surpasses many of the most advanced projects in Europe, especially in terms of efficient space management and cost-minimising solutions, while simultaneously focusing on ecology and rational resource utilisation.

One of the innovative initiatives within the project, made possible by its location, was the implementation of the Sea Cooling system. This solution harnesses the natural cooling properties of the sea to regulate temperatures within the buildings.

“In this system, seawater, acting as a cooling medium, is pumped into the building where, through a system of titanium chillers (chosen for their resistance to seawater corrosion), it cools the chilled water loop within the building and transfers heat from the building’s systems back to the sea. When the seawater temperature exceeds 16°C, the building’s automation system activates chillers to lower the temperature of the chilled water loop to optimal parameters. In this case, seawater only preliminarily cools the water in the internal chilled water loop and absorbs heat from the building,” explains Tomasz Okuszko, project manager at Vastint Poland.

The installation operates at low-pressure parameters (just over 1 bar) and, although it operates automatically, it also features an additional security system allowing for a bypass connection, for instance, during maintenance or in case one of the seawater intakes is blocked by potential sea pollutants. Additionally, thanks to a completely maintenance-free filtration system, filter cleaning occurs automatically without disrupting the system’s operation.

Another interesting feature found at Waterfront is the energy return function (Clean Drive) integrated into the elevator drive systems. This technology reduces energy consumption by around 30%, and the power recovered by the elevator drives is directly transmitted to the power grid supplying the facilities.

The roofs of the buildings are all covered with vegetation. Maintaining extensive vegetation requires no artificial watering; rainwater and moisture in the air are sufficient. This solution increases the biologically active surface area and slows down rainwater runoff; it also creates a specific microclimate. However, the most important role of green roofs is to reduce the ‘heat island’ effect and, thanks to their insulating function, reducing interior heating.

External blinds installed between the layers of double-pane windows and connected to the KNX system, which controls the blinds according to the degree of sunlight, also serve as insulation. Their task is to reflect sunlight, effectively preventing excessive heating of office spaces.

Sustainable development strategy and LEED achievements

The Waterfront buildings have obtained or are in the process of obtaining LEED environmental certification. Acquiring this certification is the best way to demonstrate that a project is environmentally friendly, as it requires undergoing a rigorous verification process. It provides undeniable, and most importantly, objective evidence that the ecological assumptions regarding energy consumption, water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, waste production, and environmental quality have all been met.

“We take all efforts and implement many advanced technical solutions which do not only contribute to the reduced office operating costs, but also and more importantly increase our tenants’ comfort at their workplace,” says David Pettersson, senior project manager, coordinating works related to the certification at Vastint Poland.

Vastint has been a pioneer in sustainable construction practices for years. Operating in many European countries, the company owns over 100 certified properties, including five of the Top 30 highest-rated LEED-certified buildings worldwide. The group can boast of the Business Garden Riga complex, the first LEED-certified office building in Latvia; the Courtyard Brussels EU hotel, the first project of its kind to receive LEED certification in the Benelux countries; and Riverview, which was also the first residential project in Poland to receive LEED certification.

The principles of sustainable construction are one of the fundamental pillars of Vastint’s strategy. Vastint manages its buildings with a long-term perspective, which means they are constructed with durability and efficiency in mind. This is also what tenants expect when they choose buildings that, thanks to green solutions, guarantee lower operating costs and a comfortable working environment. Placing offices in people- and environmentally-friendly buildings is a key element of gaining a competitive advantage and is a requirement of the implemented ESG strategies.