The 40,812 square metre Kanyon Centre, sited in the Levent business district of Istanbul, encompasses a 25 floor business tower offering 30,000 square metres of office space, a 40,000 square metre open-air shopping area lined with 157 boutiques, restaurants, cafes, bars, a cinema, health and fitness centre, gourmet market and an outdoor performance area. This retail centre is anchored by the world-famous fashion store Harvey Nichols and the centre attracts some 35,000 visitors daily. A residential block includes 179 apartments.
Kanyon is a joint venture between Eczacıbaşı Pharmaceutical and Industrial Investment and İş Real Estate Investment Trust. Several international companies were involved in this $200 million project, including Tabanlıoğlu Architects, Arup Engineering and Tepe Construction.
From the outset the developers specified technologies that would signpost the centre towards a sustainable and environmentally responsible future. An intelligent Building Management System (BMS) monitors, controls and optimises energy and water consumption in all spaces. Space heating, cooling, fans, humidification, lighting and small power systems energy consumption data are constantly monitored. An ISO 14001 environmental management system provides further endorsement.
Tuncer KINIKLI, Operation Director of Kanyon Facilities Management and Marketing said: “Kanyon aimed to be a pioneer in both the reduction of energy usage, water consumption and waste management, via an innovative and comprehensive management strategy to minimize its carbon footprint.”
To this end the centre looked to BREEAM In-Use International as the most suitable tool in designing and building management procedures according to environmental properties. “The client’s goal was to set an example in Turkey, showing how energy conservation can have a positive effect on management and on the quality of life for all people alike, BREEAM was the logical choice.” added Dr. Duygu Erten who is the BREEAM Consultant of the project.
As a consequence 35% of the building’s hot water demand is provided by solar panels. A co-generation system serves 10% heating demand and by installing a heat recovery system in fresh air units, a four per cent reduction in energy consumption has been achieved. The open-air structure provides maximum use of daylighting, allowing visitors to enjoy fresh air and greened landscaping.
Kanyon was the first project to achieve an “Excellent” rating on its BREEAM In-Use certificate in Turkey in 2012, reflecting its long term commitment to sustainability and innovative performance. And a consequence of its best practice policies, in June 2015, Kanyon became Turkey’s first “Outstanding” rating on its BREEAM In-Use for International building management.
Today, rainwater and grey water are collected for use in public toilets and landscape irrigation. Internal and external lighting meet best practice levels with most fixtures changed to LEDs. COdetectors monitor indoor environmental quality. Kanyon operates its own waste management system with collection points for glass, paper and other recyclable materials, waste food from restaurants and cafes, and electronic waste.
Such attention to detail includes low solvent and water based cleaning products, acoustic monitoring to best practice standards and an integration into the transport network including cycle paths to reduce transport emissions and traffic congestion.
It’s this holistic approach that has paid dividends according to Tuncer Kinikli, with some unintended benefits: “As a result of our investment the centre is achieving an 11 per cent annual saving in energy costs. And as a consequence of our BREEAM success we’re seeing employees and tenants participating more and more in sustainable activities. It’s become the culture at Kanyon and that’s great for the future.”
Duygu Erten
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This article originally appeared on Linkedin.