JEG Tower’s 6 Sustainable Features that Could Help Future Workspaces

After the pandemic hit as well as Typhoon Odette ravaged Cebu earlier this year, JEG Tower was successfully launched last April bringing sustainable innovations to the table.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia is a LEED Gold certified 22-story office and retail building in Cebu City that offers sustainable features that would greatly benefit companies that are rethinking workspaces for the future.

As companies find themselves in the throes of The Great Resignation, more emphasis is being placed on the need to create healthier and more sustainable spaces for employees, adapting to evolving workplace needs. Studies have shown that employees working for companies that practice sustainability are happier and more productive in the workplace. More employees are also starting to demand amenities that put a premium on their health and well-being.

With this in mind, companies are moving to create workspaces that suit the needs of employees.

According to JEG Realty, the real estate arm of JEG Development Corporation, there are 6 sustainable features of JEG Tower @ One Acacia that companies should reconsider when rethinking workspaces:

1. Green Transportation
Eco-friendly modes of transport, such as cycling and low-emission cars, are shaping up to be the ideal alternatives to public transport and private car use. Companies have started ramping up their climate commitment by promoting green transportation in the workplace, which is characterized by its cost-efficiency and ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially in the Philippines where pollution and severe traffic congestion continue to be a challenge.

JEG Tower @ One Acacia stands at the forefront of promoting cycling as an alternative mode of transport among its occupants by allocating space in the building for bike racks for those who want to pedal their way to work.

“All employees in the building are encouraged to own a bike to champion a healthy lifestyle and at the same time reduce their own carbon footprints. After pedaling their way to the office, employees can use any of the five water-conserving shower rooms in the parking area to freshen up before they go to work,” said Marko Sarmiento, JEG Realty’s President.

Apart from bike racks, seven specially designated parking spaces are painted green for Low-Emission Fuel-Efficient (LEFE) vehicles, such as electric and hybrid-powered cars. This particularly allows workers in the building to save up on fuel and reduce pollution.

2. Green Roof Deck Garden
With office employees spending most of their time indoors, an essential sustainability feature that companies need to integrate into their workplace includes biophilic design elements, such as views of nature, green walls, and indoor planting. These are known to play a crucial role in minimizing the risks of pollution and building better biodiversity.

Beyond environmental impacts, research reveals that biophilia may have positive physiological and psychological impacts on humans. Businesses should learn to embrace biophilic design as it has been found to reduce stress and improve productivity as well as creativity in the workplace.

“JEG Tower @ One Acacia is one of the premium-grade office developments in the Philippines that takes it a notch higher through its pioneering green roof—a relaxing space that features local flora and fauna that is made accessible to all occupants of their building,” shared Sarmiento.

The roof deck’s endemic flora can also help bolster humidity levels to the 30%–60% range required for human health. It also features native and adaptive vegetation to ensure less maintenance and reduced costs by minimizing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation.

3. Solar Panels
A growing number of companies in the Philippines have invested in solar panels to attract tenants and occupiers. By using solar power instead of the municipal power supply, businesses
can limit the production of greenhouse gases. What makes solar energy an even more viable sustainability feature in the workplace is it reduces operational costs, which means businesses can expect a partial cut in their monthly utility bills.

Solar panels are a top-grade green feature of JEG Tower @ One Acacia, making it the first commercial development in Cebu City to use solar energy. This tower entered into a 20-Year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with COREnergy for a Zero Cash-Out solar photovoltaics (PV) plant.

“The development utilizes a 40 kWp Solar PV System from over 100 pieces of Polycrystalline PV Modules installed on the building crown. The system will be able to supply electricity to power, either fully or partially, the lower ground floor to the 6th Floor,” explained Sarmiento.

It utilizes solar power to pump water from the cistern tank to the water tank above the roof deck, run all the electrical systems in the main lobby including the turnstiles, run the systems in the fire command center, and run back-of-house systems.

4. Sustainable Building Materials
Building workspaces without thinking about the environmental impact of the materials is slowly becoming a thing of the past. To create healthier workspaces, businesses now utilize sustainable materials which emit less carbon dioxide and minimize environmental impacts such as global warming, resource depletion, and toxicity.

Common eco-friendly measures include the selection of energy-efficient lights and office equipment, and flooring and wall finishes that are sustainably sourced, such as reclaimed wood or recycled construction materials.

“Efficient and proper use of resources is at the very core of JEG Tower @ One Acacia’s design and development. It is built from environmentally friendly materials, from steel to cement that was uniquely sourced from coal wastes and uses green techniques, with management plans for soil erosion, waste management, and air quality,” said Sarmiento.

5. Reduced Usage of Water and Electric Power
Businesses have also come under increasing scrutiny over the business costs of their operations. By putting in place energy-efficient devices, companies will not only be able to conserve electric power and water. These will also allow them to save money in the long run.

“Water efficiency and conservation are at the heart of JEG Tower @ One Acacia. It promises around 32% reduced water usage by employing a rainwater collection system and low plumbing fixtures that increase the efficiency of water use in the building. The rainwater collection system can reduce utility costs and allocate treated water for more important use,” said Sarmiento. JEG Tower @ One Acacia is also equipped with 100 percent backup power that can run 24-7.

Likewise, floor-to-ceiling windows made with specially treated glass don’t just present magnificent views of the city below and the surrounding environment. These can go a long way in reducing the use of electrical power throughout the structure, as ambient natural lighting illuminates workspaces in the daytime.

6. Waste Management & Recycling
Another way businesses choose to build a healthier environment is by implementing a recycling program throughout the workplace. Most millennials today want companies to be more environmentally conscious to ensure a sustainable supply chain.

One of the ways to achieve this is to practice recycling, which helps to save resources, reduce waste sent to landfills, conserve energy and minimize emissions associated with transporting waste to landfills.

The development prioritizes proper waste disposal and recycling. It collects and stores waste materials for recycling, including the diversion and demolition of debris from disposal in landfills and incineration facilities.

These recyclable construction materials are redirected back to the manufacturing process and appropriate reclamation sites. This process reduces demand for virgin resources and further reduces the environmental impacts of resource extraction, processing, and transportation.

“JEG Realty’s commitment to building a sustainable project demonstrates its leadership in today’s market, heavily influenced by demands for green buildings: to deliver buildings with a lesser negative environmental impact, lower energy consumption, and healthier indoor environments,” Sarmiento asserted.

As companies strive to champion an environmentally sustainable workplace, many soon realize the benefits it holds, including lasting cost savings, employee health, and morale, customer satisfaction, and waste reduction opportunities that come along with it.

Looking ahead, the six sustainability features of JEG Tower @ One Acacia are poised to take center stage in the workplace of the next generation.