The PARQ, developed by Frasers Property Holdings (Thailand), has officially become the first mixed-use project in Thailand to achieve LEED Version 4 BD+C: Core and Shell certification, a model of international standards.

The PARQ is a mixed-use development focused on creating smart office and retail spaces under the concept of “Life Well Balanced.” It has received official LEED Gold certification, marking it as the first mixed-use project in Thailand to be certified under LEED Version 4 BD+C (Building Design and Construction): Core and Shell. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standard is a green building rating system established by the U.S. Green Building Council to promote environmentally conscious building design and construction practices. LEED Version 4 is the latest standard for sustainable green building design and construction.

Mr. Kamolnai Chaiyanan, Executive Director of TCC Assets (Thailand) Co., Ltd., stated, “We are proud that The PARQ is the first mixed-use project to receive LEED Version 4 BD+C: Core and Shell certification, the latest standard for sustainable green building design and construction. This reinforces The PARQ's position as a smart building that integrates office and retail spaces, serving as a comprehensive lifestyle destination. With environmentally friendly and truly sustainable technology, this project has been developed under a vision of sustainability and the well-being of residents and visitors since its inception. The building structure and all components have been designed according to LEED standards, which are internationally recognized for assessing green buildings. We believe that this certification will pave the way for more sustainable green building developments in Thailand, while also raising the standards of Thai construction in terms of energy efficiency, water conservation, site selection, material usage, natural light utilization, and waste reduction.”

The PARQ is developed by TCC Assets (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and managed by Frasers Property Holdings (Thailand) Co., Ltd. under the Frasers Property Group. It is the first commercial building in Thailand to utilize smart sensors and IoT technology in its office lighting systems, featuring ultraviolet light bulbs for disinfection (UVGI) in the air conditioning system, and a comprehensive waste management system for all waste in the building. Additionally, it is a commercial building that employs the most efficient cooling systems and has the highest number of electric vehicle charging stations among office buildings in Thailand.

Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, Managing Director for Southeast Asia and the Middle East at Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), remarked, “The LEED certification of The PARQ clearly reflects leadership in green building, both in Thailand and in other Southeast Asian countries. The LEED rating system was created to make the world a better place and revolutionizes building and community development by helping people access buildings that are healthy, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient. The LEED v4 Gold certification of The PARQ and its status as Thailand's first mixed-use building to achieve LEED v4 BD+C: Core and Shell is an outstanding example of how this project's innovative work can create national solutions that contribute to global change. GBCI commends everyone involved in making this valuable project a model for buildings in Thailand and beyond.”

With sustainable design principles applied throughout its 130,000 square meters, The PARQ is a project that combines smart offices, retail and lifestyle spaces, and environmental resource management, adhering to the seven criteria for LEED certification in its building management and operations.

Location and Accessibility – Located in the heart of Bangkok's business district, The PARQ is a project that caters to diverse usage patterns without disrupting any areas that may impact the ecosystem. It connects to the MRT at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center station, providing convenient access to public transportation while also promoting various sustainable personal transportation options, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, bicycle parking, and shower facilities to facilitate eco-friendly commuting.

Sustainable Site Planning – With a design that considers sustainability, habitats for various living organisms, and the overall urban environment, The PARQ features extensive open spaces and green areas conducive to outdoor activities, surrounded by numerous trees for shade and water features to create a comfortable outdoor environment. The use of light-colored paving and roofing materials helps mitigate urban heat, while efforts to reduce lighting minimize light pollution in the sky and surrounding areas.

Water Management – The PARQ is designed to reduce resource use and pollution from water production and treatment, installing water-saving fixtures that can reduce water consumption by up to 40%. For outdoor water use, treated wastewater is utilized for irrigation through a drip system to minimize excessive water use, along with a separate water meter system to monitor and improve long-term operational efficiency, allowing for tracking and enhancing water usage performance during operational hours.

Energy Use and Environment – To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, The PARQ promotes energy efficiency through various components, such as heat-resistant glass on the building facade to reduce solar heat by up to 75%, thermal insulation walls, high-efficiency cooling systems at 0.56 kW/RT, and high-performance Electronically Commutated fans in the air distribution system. A high-tech lighting control system with sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) technology automatically adjusts light levels when sufficient natural light is available and turns off lights when rooms are unoccupied, all controllable via mobile devices.

Materials and Resources – The construction materials used in The PARQ are carefully selected with a focus on environmental friendliness and transparency regarding environmental impact, recycled content, pollutant emissions, and ecological impact throughout their lifecycle. Waste management employs a process for sorting recyclable waste, utilizing an innovative food waste composting system that can turn food waste into compost within 24 hours using heat and biological catalysts, along with a waste compactor that reduces waste size and separates liquids for hygienic waste management and convenient municipal transport.

Indoor Environmental Quality – The PARQ project boasts excellent air quality, with measured fresh air levels exceeding international standards by 30%. Air quality is monitored using sensors that measure airflow and carbon dioxide levels. Large windows allow natural light to enter up to 40% of the space while filtering out heat from sunlight. The open building layout enables tenants to manage their office space to enjoy views from every angle.

Innovation – The PARQ employs advanced design and operational innovations that exceed LEED standards. The building's entry and exit tracking system can monitor parking availability, count the number of employees and visitors, and track transportation patterns along with frequency of building access and various details. Even the biofertilizer produced from the food waste composting system can replace chemical fertilizers for the plants in the project, helping to reduce chemical contamination in soil and water for a safer environment for all building users.

With health and hygiene measures to control the COVID-19 outbreak, The PARQ has implemented various touchless technologies, such as QR code payment systems and automatic access card exchange machines, along with deep cleaning measures to ensure safety for both tenants and visitors.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change people's lifestyles, a healthy indoor environment has become a crucial factor. As people prepare to return to workplaces and lifestyle areas, we anticipate an increasing demand for workspaces and commercial areas that promote health and well-being. The PARQ, as a comprehensive mixed-use building designed with people at its core and environmental sustainability in mind, is well-prepared to welcome the return of urban workers and communities. Additionally, The PARQ Lifestyle, a premium retail lifestyle within The PARQ, has partnered with food and beverage outlets, and lifestyle products and services to celebrate the significant achievement of receiving LEED Version 4 BD+C certification through eco-friendly initiatives and campaigns promoting sustainability,” Mr. Kamolnai added.

LEED and WELL are leading global certification standards that are set to become the main benchmarks for building construction in the near future, as consumers seek sustainability and improved well-being. As a pioneer of LEED and WELL standards in Thailand, The PARQ has paved the way for property developers to join the rapidly growing trend aligned with Thailand's long-term growth and help shape Bangkok's vision as a sustainable regional business hub.

Recently, The PARQ has received numerous prestigious awards in the real estate sector, including the Best Office Development (Asia) and Best Commercial Green Development (Thailand) at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final 2020. It also won three awards: Best Office Development Award, Best Office Green Development Award, and Best Office Architectural Design Award at the PropertyGuru Thailand Property Awards 2020, along with the “Special Recognition Award, Green Innovation” at the Dot Property Thailand Awards 2020.

With the LEED Gold v4 certification, The PARQ has taken another step as Thailand's first mixed-use project to achieve both LEED and WELL standards, making it a model of architectural innovation and sustainable design.