18 Dec 2020
Located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s Central Business District, Melinh Point aims to meet the high standards in energy consumption and efficiency as it undergoes a major Asset Enhancement Initiative (AEI) to deliver the best working environment and experiences to its tenants. The AEI will be the first for the 21-storey Grade A office building in almost two decades, which will see its hardware refreshed with sustainability as a key focus and the installation of energy-efficient solutions.
Frasers Property Vietnam hopes to raise industry benchmarks with Melinh Point set to be the first operational building in Vietnam to achieve the prestigious Green Mark Platinum Certification – the highest level of recognition for environmentally-friendly buildings accorded by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority. In September this year, Melinh Point has already won Best Commercial Redevelopment Vietnam 2020-2021 at the Asia Pacific Property Awards for its outstanding efforts in refurbishment works.
Following the completion of the refurbishment works in early 2021, Melinh Point will see a plethora of new green features with the adoption of environmentally-friendly and advanced technologies to transit to lower-carbon energy sources, which are important in the company's contribution to fight of climate change.
Melinh Point, a Grade A office building in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s Central Business District, Vietnam, is on track to complete its major renovation works early next year. The AEI project is carried out with a key focus to incorporate sustainable features, as it aims to achieve the highest-level Green Mark Platinum Certification accorded by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority.
Saving Energy and Power
Air-cooled chiller systems at Melinh Point are replaced with water-cooled ones which help to improve system reliability, energy efficiency, and reduce energy consumption by 23 per cent. Power-saving, 100 per cent high-efficiency LED lights are also installed in common areas.
To optimise energy consumption, only half of the lights at the escape staircase are turned on throughout the day, while toilets are installed with sensors. Meanwhile, the lift system has been upgraded to a modernised model of five new elevators with the latest high-efficiency regenerative technology to save power during operations. Security turnstiles are also be put in place to better manage traffic management.
To save energy consumption, fluorescent lights in common areas have been replaced with LED lights, while all elevators have been modernised.
Reducing Water Consumption
All water fixtures have been replaced with certified water-efficient fitting. Toilets water fixtures are upgraded to three ticks rated “Excellent” based on Singapore Water Efficient Labelling Scheme and taps in restrooms are installed with automatic sensors. These initiatives aim to reduce water consumption.
Boosting Indoor Air Quality
Frasers Property Vietnam also upgraded the central heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems at Melinh Point to improve the building's indoor air quality. Air-conditioning filters are replaced with highly effective filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating of 14 to improve air quality, while primary air handling unit draws fresh air into the air conditioning system to be cooled. The property management team will be monitoring and testing the indoor air quality regularly in collaboration with QUARTEST 3, a professional laboratory founded by the Vietnam government, in its continuous quest to boost air quality and provide a crystal-clear atmosphere in the entire building.
Waste Management
Other than green technology, Frasers Property Vietnam also aims to upgrade all facilities to be eco-friendly. Recycling bins are placed at every floor to encourage recycling through proper waste sorting. There are specially dedicated areas at basement for each type of waste, as well as a separated room for hazardous waste. Waste management stations with clear communications would also be set up to urge the community to separate all waste at the source into food, recyclable, and hazardous waste.
With a goal to deliver the best working environment and experiences to its tenants, the team has begun feasibility studies on converting certain common areas into a business centre to provide tenants with shared facilities like meeting rooms, conference rooms and training spaces.
Green buildings benefit the environment and community in many ways, from saving energy and water consumption, optimising the use of resources to providing healthy environments and boosting the well-being of the building occupants. Since 2005, over 200 buildings across the Frasers Property Group are already green-certified, with Melinh Point set to be one of the upcoming properties to be green-certified. In line with Frasers Property Group’s sustainability goals, Frasers Property Vietnam aims for its properties to be carbon-neutral by 2050.