Page 75 - GreenRE_Sustainable Real Estate Book

Saving the greens We wanted a comfortable and safe work place for our team to call

One of the standout features at Encomas House is the home with a huge pantry to indulge in and a green place to relax.
landscaped riverfront at the back, covered with cow grass
for easy maintenance. The seamless integration of the new Finally, our dream has been realised. We are very proud to have
building into the surrounding environment is conceived as
part of the scheme to preserve the greenery – achieving a Encomas House certified by GreenRE and with the highest rating
greenery provision of 0.55 contributing to moderating the in its category.
heat island affect. Adding to the green-themed outdoors, a
jasmine tree further accentuates the natural elements of the – DATUK RICK CHENG WOOI SEONG –
concrete staircase, while the existing decades-old trees – the
Founder, Group Managing Director
Pokok Hujan, Pokok Pucuk Putat, Pokok Asam and Pokok
Chempedak have been fondly remembered and retaining
walls built around them as protection against floodwaters. Built to save Tapping natural water sources
The river’s water is sourced for the landscape’s irrigation Although they look like regular structures, green buildings are Apart from harvesting water from the river, Encomas House
needs, while coffee waste from Encomas’s award winning designed to have less negative impact on the environment, aspires to save on potable water consumption using Water
coffee place, Caffe Diem is transformed into natural fertilizer. be healthier, boost the productivity of workers within, and Efficiency Labeling and Standards (WELS) fittings, including
have lower overhead costs. They also yield a greater return dual flush water closets, low flush urinals, and water-efficient
on investment. Encomas House is no different. sink/basin taps that achieve 100% efficiency.
This 1 ½ storey building is designed to be highly energy- Low CUI building
efficient, with an expected energy consumption of up to 30%
less than a comparable conventional office building. Encomas House did away with the extensive use of concrete,
instead adapting the natural raw architecture look of the clay
The use of energy-efficient LED and fluorescent lighting,
bricks. At least 70% of the clay bricks used to conceive the
gives 56.75% improvement in energy efficiency compared
structure were rejected, burnt bricks from a brick factory in
to the MS 1525:2007 baseline standard. The interior of the
Gurun, Kedah. Not only were the otherwise wasted bricks
building prioritises comfort over luxury, utilising 5-star
salvaged, its darker tones added a natural, earthy character to
energy-efficient appliances such as ceiling, wall, and stand
the building, and reinforced its structure as these burnt bricks
fans, air conditioning, refrigerator, and television. The unitary
were stronger.
air-conditioners in the building provide 28.6% more energy
savings than the MS1525:2007 baseline standard. In addition,
the building is fitted with motion-controlled washroom lights
and photocell sensors that automatically turn off when extra
light is unnecessary, thereby saving energy.

SUSTAINABLE REAL ESTATE | Our 10-Year Journey 64