Saifuddin Ahmad
Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president


“1 First Avenue was designed with a number of innovative sustainable characteristics compared with the other shortlisted entries. It was in a class of its own. Something unexpected by a private developer and should be emulated by others. A brilliant start to greater awareness and practice of sustainability in the country!”

Serina Hijjas
Green Building Index accreditation panel member

“Taking the initiative to go green is a laudable act by any developer. Submissions for the award will get more and more interesting as developers rise to the challenge of embracing green innovations or commitments in their buildings as a new way of life.

1 First Avenue was selected based on its adoption of good green practices in a speculative office building. Wastewater recycling is incorporated into the entire building — the first of its kind that goes beyond the typical green selections seen in emerging projects and developments. A bold move that goes beyond commercial selection to more of a corporate social responsibility agenda.

The jury’s commendation is Suruhanjaya Tenaga’s Diamond building, a wonderfully crafted green building with state-of-the-art, passive and active green features. Designed to be an exemplary building in showcasing the best green features, the Diamond building is a learning, walking and talking green project. The jury believes it will be a great contribution to knowledge building in the building sector.”

Boon Che Wee
Green Building Index accreditation panel member (chair)
Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM)
immediate past president


“The winning entry presented itself very clearly as a development with a clear purpose in meeting the expected environmental standards in this day and age, with simple and basic approaches by First Principles, sans the bells and whistles, from its passive design strategies and controlled construction to its series of understated, cost-effective
and well-integrated innovative measures.

This well-meaning effort is not lost on its tenants and the new green ethics are contagion on the occupants and even on the visitors. It is also important in setting the benchmark for future developments in the area as well as its wider locality.”

Au Foong Yee
Chief marketing officer, The Edge

“An exemplary green project calls for more than just innovative ideas supported by a blank cheque. It warrants the developer to travel on a path least or not yet travelled, in the local context at least. Then, there is the challenge of investment of time and money to break out of an otherwise stereotypical notion of going green.

We found the candidate in 1 First Avenue, an office building by Bandar Utama City Sdn Bhd, in the popular township of Bandar Utama in Selangor. There is nothing fancy or seemingly over the top about this project, save for its focused green principles and practices that together set a benchmark for future green developments in Malaysia.

Special mention must be made of Suruhanjaya Tenaga’s Diamond building in Putrajaya. Here is an awesome building packed with state-of-the-art green features befitting, as the judges called it, a knowledge building. A commendable green effort indeed.”

Sharon Kam
The Edge deputy editor, City & Country + haven

“The entries this year ranged from resort developments to homes and offices and it is good to see Malaysian developers embrace sustainable development in their projects.

The quality of submissions was impressive, but 1 First Avenue stood out because it went beyond merely meeting the requirements for green ratings. Some of its green features were forward-looking and will benefit the local community or neighbourhood, such as its centralised wastewater treatment plant.

While it is an exemplary green building, 1 First Avenue is also a fully leased office building with 90% occupancy, which shows that its developer and tenants appreciate or can learn to appreciate the value and benefits of sustainable design and development.”


 

This article appeared in City & Country, the property pullout of The Edge Malaysia, Issue 878, Oct 3-9, 2011

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