16 October 2015, Budapest. The biannual awards were established by WorldGBC’s Europe Regional Network to promote leadership in sustainability and inspire best practice in building projects, business practice and public policy.
The Eiffel Palace office building in Budapest, Hungary took the award for Leadership in Building Design and Performance. On behalf of the project, Attila Kovács, MRICS, Managing Partner at Horizon Development stated “The WorldGBC Leadership Award is the most prestigious recognition of our ongoing commitment to develop sustainable buildings that excel both with their future-proof design and long-term energy performance. Eiffel Palace – with its 120 years of history, innovative technical solutions and dual environmental certificate – is a unique gem among European office buildings”.
Mónika Tornóczky, Secretary General of Hungary Green Building Council, added “We are very proud of the achievement of this project and the role that our member company DVM group played in it. This building is a great example of how we can make a historical building sustainable.”
As one of the expert partner organizations on the awards jury, the Architects Council of Europe remarked “Eiffel Palace is an outstanding example of contemporary architectural design that embeds novel energy and water saving solutions into a historic building on a heritage site. The Eiffel Palace building renovation preserves the future, while reflecting on the past.”
Awards partner the European Council of Engineers Chambers emphasized that “A knowledge-based society must be based on the intelligent use of resources to allow the prospect of producing more while consuming less”.
Eiffel Palace (Budapest, Hungary)
Eiffel Palace – a Central Business District development of unique significance in historic preservation, urban planning, sustainability and general construction – officially opened its doors in Budapest in 2013. After 120 years, the former Pesti Hírlap and Zrínyi Nyomda building shines in its original beauty again, contributing to the rebirth of the Hungarian capital.
The building’s dual environmental certificate (LEED Gold, BREEAM Very Good) is unique in Central and Eastern Europe. Features that contribute to the excellent energy and water efficiency of the building include solar collectors and photovoltaic panels, the use of harvested rainwater, built-in low flow aerators, occupancy and motion sensors, energy-saving LED light fixtures, pre-programmable elevators and the vegetation on multiple roof terraces. Bicycle storages with lockers and showers are situated in the 5-story underground garage, and electric and hybrid car chargers are also located here. The adornment of the atrium is the vertical garden that complements the timeless harmony of whites, beiges and bronzes with its fresh shades of green, and links the ground floor with the first floor.
Besides the focus on environmental value creation, it also puts great emphasis on restoring historic values, paying tribute to the heritage of Pesti Hírlap and Zrínyi Nyomda with its exhibition on the history of printing, and the display of original machinery in common areas.
See: http://eiffelpalace.hu/en/the-building/
About Hungary Green Building Council (HuGBC)
Hungary Green Building Council (HuGBC) is a nonprofit professional and civil organization that was launched by architects, engineers, designers, economists, consultants, scientists, investors, various businesses across the building industry and other professionals, who are all committed to providing a clear direction for the sector as a whole. HuGBC is determined to campaign for a radical transformation of our built environment by providing information on sustainable practices and facilitate learning and communication between members and the industry, developing sustainable legislation and establishing market conditions that favor this process. www.hugbc.hu
About the World Green Building Council
The World Green Building Council is a global member network of Green Building Councils enabling green building and sustainable communities through leadership and market transformation. Our vision is a built environment that enables a high quality of life for all within limits the planet can support. www.worldgbc.org/regions/europe
About DVM group and Horizon Development
DVM group provides the most comprehensive range of integrated building services in Hungary, and has been a prominent player in the real estate sector since its establishment in Budapest in 1995. The complete portfolio includes design, project management, environmental consultancy, general construction, development management and construction management. The development management arm of the company is Horizon Development, with reference projects such as Eiffel Palace and Eiffel Square office buildings, and more sustainable commercial projects in the pipeline such as Váci 1, Szervita Square and Promenade Gardens. www.dvmgroup.com, www.horizondevelopment.hu, www.eifflepalace.hu
Read more about the winners of Europe Leadership in Green Building Awards 2015 here.
http://www.worldgbc.org/activities/govt-leadership-awards/europe
