Kalpataru Square has been recognised as Asia's first commercial building to get Platinum certificate under USGBC - Leed Core and Shell

Kalpataru Square, a prestigious commercial complex developed by Kalpataru Limited, at Andheri, East, in Mumbai has become the first project in Asia to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Platinum Core and Shell certification. This is the highest ever green building standard in the world from the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC).

The USGBC confers the certification to any project for lower operating costs and increased asset value, reduction of waste sent to landfills, conservation of energy and water, healthier and safer environments for occupants and reduction of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

LEED for Core and Shell version 2.0 constructions cover base building elements, such as the structure, envelope and building level systems, such as central HVAC. LEED for Core and Shell is designed to complement both the commercial interiors and Existing Buildings, operations and maintenance.

Mr. Anuj Munot, Director, Kalpataru Limited said, “We are very proud and happy to receive LEED Platinum certification for our commercial project ‘Kalpataru Square’. We feel that it is the highest recognition to the continuous efforts put in by our team in creating Asia’s first commercial green building project of superior standards. Our engineering, design and architecture team has worked extremely hard to ensure that we qualify to achieve the stringent guidelines set by USGBC. We have got the highest points ever received by any Platinum Green Building under USGBC LEED Core &Shell.

At Kalpataru, guided by our honourable chairman, Shri. Mofatraj Munot, we believe in setting benchmarks and would continue to excel in such initiatives”

Kalpataru Square,’ a world class premium commercial building is designed by the renowned Architect Hafeez Contractor and strategically located at the Andheri-Kurla road in Mumbai.

Kalpataru Square is a green office building of 2, 50,000 sq feet area spread over 6 levels. The building has a grand entrance foyer. The lighting has been designed by AWA Architectural Lighting Design, USA, who have an in-depth knowledge & understanding of sustainability and green building and interiors are by world renowned interior specialist Design Phase Pvt Ltd; Singapore.

The project is also within close proximity to Mumbai’s international and domestic airports, the Western Express Highway, the commercial hubs like SEEPZ and MIDC and many five star hotels. This has made Kalpataru Square into a preferred business destination for companies from various industries.

Anuj adds, “The impact of energy costs directly affects the bottom-line of tenants. Energy represents thirty percent of operating expenses in a typical office building and with this achievement; tenants at Kalpataru Square will see the financial benefits from day one.”

Some of the key green features implemented at Kalpataru Square include:

· Reduction of Carbon Footprint

* Energy saving of around 23% over the ASHRAE Budget building during energy simulation studies.
* Forest Stewardship Council certified wood was especially sourced for this project
* Sewage water reclamation plan has been setup to treat Black & Grey water. 100% treated water will be used for flushing & irrigation and 11.22% requirement of makeup water for air conditioning will be met.
* Rain water harvesting to reduce runoff by up to 61%.
* Low Flow High Efficient water fixtures have been installed in common toilets which will reduce water consumption by 30%.
* Over Deck Insulation done by Owens Corning, USA
* A roof garden is provided which covers over 50% of the exposed roof surface, adding to the heat insulation provided by over-deck insulation.
* Extra care has been taken to conserve native vegetation.
* 30% of material is from within a radius of 500 miles with less embodied energy and 20% of building material that are used are recycled.
* Use of rapidly renewable materials and materials with recycled content.
* Total Material used has 25% combined recycled content value as per as a percentage of total material cost.
* Low emitting materials, such as, Paints from Rust-oleam, Sealants from DOW Corning , Carpet flooring from Interface and Low VOC adhesives have been used in the project with a view to provide a healthy atmosphere.
* Multi-level car parking in the basement reduces the heat island effect. Care has been taken to provide parking for alternative fuel vehicles, bicycles and physically challenged people.

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About Kalpataru Ltd

Kalpataru Ltd is a part of the Kalpataru Group of Companies based in Mumbai, India. The Kalpataru Group has developed core competence in the field of Real Estate and Property Development, Power Transmission Towers, Infrastructure, Property Management and Integrated Facility Management Services; Logistics and Warehousing services.

Kalpataru Ltd is today one of the largest Real Estate and Property Group in Western India with over 40 years of experience in building large residential and commercial complexes and townships in Mumbai, Thane and Pune. Some of the finest buildings constructed by Kalpataru are Kalpataru Heights, a 39 storey building in Central Mumbai - one of the tallest residential sky scrappers in India; Kalpataru Residency, at Sion – 2 premium 18 storeyed towers with state-of-the-art amenities; Kalpataru Habitat at Parel, one of the firsts to have an independent car park building with sports facilities atop; Kalpataru Horizon at Worli, where the 1st residential floor starts at the 14th level is also the winner of CNBC Asia Pacific Award for Best – High Rise and several other awards. Kalpataru Synergy, a commercial complex located at Vakola is also one of the firsts to have triple basements. For more information, Visit: www.kalpataru.com

About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations. Since UGSBC’s founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 17,000 member companies and organizations, a comprehensive family of LEED® green building rating systems, an expansive educational offering, the industry’s popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.org), and a network of 78 local chapters, affiliates, and organizing groups. For more information, Visit: www.usgbc.org.

About LEED®

The LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ is a feature-oriented rating system that awards buildings points for satisfying specified green building criteria. The six major environmental categories of review include: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation and Design. Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of LEED green building certification are awarded based on the total number of points earned within each LEED category. LEED can be applied to all building types including new construction, commercial interiors, core & shell developments, existing buildings, homes, neighborhood developments, schools and retail facilities.

Incentives for LEED are available at the state and local level and LEED has also been adopted nationwide by federal agencies, state and local governments, and interested private companies. For more information, Visit: www.usgbc.org/LEED