WHAT IS A GREEN BUILDING? TOP 7 OUTSTANDING GREEN BUILDINGS IN VIETNAM.

The development of green buildings in Vietnam has become increasingly popular in recent years. The characteristic of green building projects is the efficient use of resources, reduction of operating costs, minimization of environmental impacts, while still providing the best living conditions for people.

What is a green building?

Green buildings, the trend of energy efficiency

The Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC) defines a green building as a structure that achieves high efficiency in the use of energy and materials, minimizes negative impacts on the environment, and is designed to limit the adverse effects of the built environment on human health and the natural environment through:

• Efficient use of energy, water, and other resources;
• Protection of the health of occupants and improvement of labor productivity;
• Reduction of waste, pollution, and environmental degradation.

Green building standards

The Vietnam Green Building Council has established several standards for creating a green building, including:

• Efficient use of energy, water, and other resources
• Use of alternative energy (e.g., solar energy)
• Solutions to reduce pollution, waste, and promote recycling and reuse
• Ensuring indoor air quality
• Use of non-toxic, responsible, and sustainable materials
• Considering environmental factors in design, construction, and operation
• Considering quality of life in design, construction, and operation
• Design that adapts to environmental changes

Benefits of green building

1. Smart energy management Green buildings encourage planning and targeting energy use from the beginning of the project, taking advantage of the site location and climate conditions to reduce the need for heating, cooling, and lighting. The integration of landscape design into sun and wind barriers, promoting the use of public transportation, and incorporating renewable energy solutions are also key strategies.

2. Water conservation Green buildings aim to reduce water consumption while ensuring water quality through efficient water-use devices. Advanced solutions like rainwater harvesting and recycling are widely applied.

3. Waste and pollution reduction Minimizing emissions requires careful consideration throughout the design, construction, and operation phases. Green buildings help reduce environmental impact through the 3R strategy: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

   For example, by reducing impervious surfaces, green buildings can help decrease stormwater runoff and reduce landscape surface temperatures. There are also opportunities to reuse existing structures or recover and repurpose materials within building areas.

4. Health and comfort of building occupants Providing adequate fresh air to indoor spaces through efficient ventilation systems ensures good air quality and prevents the buildup of harmful chemicals from materials and equipment. Green buildings encourage the use of natural lighting solutions to meet lighting requirements, improve visibility, and significantly reduce artificial lighting costs.

   Green buildings are designed to be "visually and acoustically appealing." In fact, in the design of schools, hospitals, homes, and offices, sound environment and acoustics play a critical role in creating spaces that promote concentration, effective work, and restful living. Green buildings encourage passive cooling methods through shading and appropriate ventilation, even simple solutions like efficient ceiling fan design and installation.

5. Preservation of green landscapes In the architectural design of green buildings, special attention is paid to the site selection, protection of existing vegetation, and expansion of green spaces. Vegetation helps reduce heating and cooling needs, purify the air, minimize the urban heat island effect, and offer numerous other benefits.

6. Community connectivity From the design stage, green buildings focus on the distance between residential areas, workplaces, and other amenities to reduce the environmental impact of personal vehicles and road traffic. Green buildings encourage the use of eco-friendly transportation like bicycles and other green transportation solutions.

7. Cost optimization throughout the project lifecycle Green buildings consider costs across the entire lifecycle of the building, whereas traditional buildings focus only on initial design and construction costs.

Genesis Integrated School

Genesis Integrated School, located on Nguyễn Văn Huyên Street, Tây Hồ, Hanoi, is the first school in Vietnam to achieve the Golden Lotus Certificate. The school has three floors with 20 classrooms, covering a total area of 6,128m2.

The building uses non-fired bricks, low-energy glass to reduce heat, a nevo slab structure without beams, and a 20kW solar power system. Green vegetation covers 39.2% of the land area, including 835m2 of green roof.

As a result, the school has saved 60.9% of energy and 47.9% of water usage. According to VGBC, the school received a green score of 72/118.

2. Concordia International School

Concordia International School

Concordia International School, located on a 17,000m2 site in Đông Anh (Hanoi), received the Golden Lotus Certificate in August 2019. With a construction area of 8,090m2, the developer implemented green measures such as installing solar water heaters, measuring air quality index (AQI) every half hour in the area, and providing on-site secondary water filtration and cooling treatment services.

The walls and floors of the building are fully covered with low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials. All walls are made of non-fired materials such as concrete or plaster, and 64.2% of the building area is covered by natural daylight. The positive results achieved by Concordia International School include saving 32.5% of energy and 52.6% of water usage. The green score for this building is 77/118.

3. FPT University

FPT University in Ho Chi Minh City is located on D1 Street, in the Hi-Tech Park, District 9 – one of the prime areas that host major enterprises and modern scientific and technological research centers. The university covers a total floor area of nearly 30,000m2. According to architect Võ Trọng Nghĩa, FPT University is considered one of the top green architectural buildings in Saigon. The university's main building won first place in the Vietnam Green Architecture Award and was honored at the World Architecture Festival.

FPT University

The main building of FPT University has 7 floors with a total usable area of 11,065m2 and is currently under construction. The façade is designed with alternating hollow square blocks, creating a simple yet striking rhythm. The planting in the block openings will protect the building from direct sunlight while still ensuring sufficient natural light, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day. The use of natural ventilation for the entire building has also been carefully considered.

Architect Võ Trọng Nghĩa stated that green architecture, like the main building of FPT University, is highly suitable for universities, office buildings, hospitals, and even private homes.

"Green architecture may seem like a luxury, but only in thought and perspective. In crowded urban areas, green architecture is the solution to address the challenges of today's cities," Nghĩa remarked.

4. Ecohome 3 

The NO2 and NO3 buildings of Ecohome 3 are the first social housing projects to receive the EDGE Green Certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

The NO2 and NO3 buildings of Ecohome 3 are the first social housing projects to receive the EDGE Green Certification from the International Finance Corporation (IFC)

EcoHome 3 is green from the design phase: it uses eco-friendly materials, creates open spaces to catch the breeze, and incorporates 4,300 m3 of natural light designed beyond the urban planning, including 800 trees and a landscape with a fountain that helps reduce the temperature by 1-2°C compared to the surrounding environment, creating a beautiful, cool, and relaxing space for residents. Apartments with west-facing windows use Low-E glass to reduce heat in the summer, and the UF water filtration system provides safe water without removing other beneficial trace elements.

Designed according to green standards for energy, water, and materials, the NO2 and NO3 buildings are expected to save up to 36% of water usage, 25% of energy consumption, and 32% of energy embedded in materials.

5. Diamond Lotus Riverside

Covering the construction site with over 8,000m2 of green space and a building density of just 19%, Diamond Lotus Riverside is considered one of the projects with the lowest building density and the highest green space ratio in Ho Chi Minh City. It is not only green in terms of construction but also in operation, aiming to achieve goals such as energy conservation, efficient water use, reducing CO2 emissions, and improving the environmental quality both inside and outside the residential area.

6. The Coastal Hill

The hotel apartments of The Coastal Hill project are directly exposed to 100% natural light and fresh air. The developer uses advanced materials that have minimal environmental impact, ensuring the safety and health of guests while adapting to global climate change.

The design of The Coastal Hill apartment building optimizes the use of renewable energy.

The building design optimizes the use of renewable energy. The green spaces are equipped with a recirculating irrigation system, which helps maximize freshwater conservation. Instead of using conventional cleaning chemicals, the project's swimming pool uses microalgae, which is very safe for users. The project has a relatively low building density, occupying only 12.4% of the area, allowing over 70% of the entire project to be covered in greenery.

7. Campus F-Town 3 - FPT Software

Built on an area of 69,000m2, F-Town 3 is the largest and most modern software center in Ho Chi Minh City, with more than 7,500 technology professionals. The leading British magazine on architecture, art, and fashion has ranked FPT Software's "Concrete Waves" F-Town 3 building as one of the top three examples of bioclimatic architecture in Ho Chi Minh City.

F-Town 3 by FPT Software is one of the top three buildings representing bioclimatic architecture in Ho Chi Minh City.

Opened in late 2019, F-Town 3's impressive design, harmoniously integrated with nature, has attracted much public attention, especially from the architectural community. The building follows bioclimatic architecture, a style that maximizes the advantages of climate and nature to create a comfortable and convenient living environment.

According to author Joshua Zukas, from above, F-Town 3 resembles giant white concrete waves surrounding a lush green garden. The open design allows natural airflow, helping cool the entire interior space. The green area in the center plays a role in air purification, moisture retention, and rainwater absorption.

8. Viettel Group Headquarters

The headquarters of Viettel is located at Lot D26, Alley 3, Ton That Thuyet Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi. From the building, there is a view of a 32ha park, which includes a 19ha water surface area. The headquarters accommodates around 1,000 staff and is considered the nerve center of the Viettel Group.

Viettel's headquarters is one of the few buildings in Vietnam to receive a Green Building certification (LEED) at the Silver level.

The building was designed by the U.S. design consultancy Gensler, ranked as the world's top design consultancy by the prestigious World Architect organization. The design of the building is inspired by Viettel's logo, representing the brand, business philosophy, and core values of the Group.

The entire roof of the building is covered in greenery, curved from the base to the top, inspired by Viettel's logo. Each floor of the building is designed with a specific function. The basement houses a conference hall for meetings. The first floor consists of guest reception areas, exhibition spaces, display areas, and a cafeteria. The second floor is dedicated to meeting spaces. Floors 3 to 8 are office spaces.

The building is designed in line with modern trends, focusing on sustainability with energy-saving, renewable energy, and eco-friendly features. It is one of the few buildings in Vietnam to receive the Green Building certification (LEED) at the Silver level.

(Source: RealEstate)