SHKP's KCC the first office building to get LEED gold pre-certification
30 March 2009

Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) makes sustainability a top priority, and it has earned wide recognition for introducing green elements in all aspects of property development. Its Kowloon Commerce Centre (KCC) grade-A office development in Kowloon West was the first Hong Kong commercial development to get Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) gold pre-certification from the US Green Building Council; an honour highlighting KCC's compliance with international standards for green development.

Sun Hung Kai Real Estate Agency Deputy General Manager Lo King Wai said: "As part of SHKP's tradition of quality, we offer the finest properties and customer service, while promoting sustainability with green measures and stringent green standards in all aspects from planning to construction and marketing. Our KCC is an example that features various innovative green and design concepts and cutting-edge technology to lead in green commercial buildings. The LEED gold pre-certification reinforces KCC's international status in sustainability and recognizes SHKP's achievements in green living."

LEED was developed by US Green Building Council and is an internationally-accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in human and environmental health, sustainable site development, water saving and energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environment quality. KCC was recognized for excelling in all areas as an example in whole-building sustainability.

Natural daylight is maximized at KCC with expansive curtain walls and a 19-metre glass entrance lobby, and there are various energy-efficient installations to save power. Green space and sky gardens offer a comfortable environment for tenants and CO2 sensors help ensure indoor air quality. Recycled materials are used for construction and as much as 75% of construction waste was recycled. The piling of the former building was kept for the foundation and sustainable forest certified wood, low-emission paint and coatings and GRI green label carpet systems are part of KCC's green material initiatives. 20% of the construction materials were extracted from natural resources so that KCC consumes the least natural resources in its construction as part of the comprehensive environmental protection.

KCC's central air conditioning, lifts and other electrical installations meet international energy-efficiency guidelines, lowering power consumption by 15%. It also recycles condensate water from air conditioning, reducing sewage output by 50%. The development is in a convenient location to give tenants an incentive to use public transport, preventing fuel consumption and harmful emissions from the use of vehicles for transport.

KCC is invigorating the district and setting new standards in green commercial building in terms of architecture, planning, greenery, facilities and accessibility. It demonstrates SHKP's excellence in fusing environmental concepts in development.

About KCC
KCC will be made up of two grade-A office buildings near the Kwai Hing MTR station. The first 35-storey building with 500,000 sq ft of offices plus food and beverage outlets was finished in third quarter last year. The second phase is scheduled for completion in 2011. The development has open views and a prime location in the West Kowloon transportation hub. A proposed air-conditioned footbridge will let people get to the Kwai Hing MTR from the office lobby in just two minutes. There are fast links to the Hong Kong International Airport, Kwai Chung terminals and Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau checkpoints. Premium facilities at KCC will help transform the district into a new business centre.