A landmark hotel striving towards more sustainable performance
Project Details
- Scheme: In-Use International 2015
- Rating: Very Good
- Overall score: 56.1%
Project Team
- Building owner: East Capital Real Estate AS
- Building Manager: Fortuna Travel OU
- Building occupants: Hilton, Olympic casino
- Assessor: Erkki Seinre (BuildingLabel OU)
About the Building
The building is located in the city centre of Tallinn, Estonia. The building was built on previously developed plot. The previous structures were dismantled and the new building was built from 2014 to 2016. The building has 11 above ground floor levels, and 1 below ground parking floor. The total floor area is close to 20,000 m2. The dominant use of the building is hotel rooms on floors 3 to 11. The second largest occupant is a casino located at ground floor level.
The current main tenant Hilton is aspiring to fulfill increasing demand from clients for more sustainable buildings to stay in or organize conferences in. For that reason, the current BREEAM In-Use Part 1 certification can be considered the first step to improve building performance. It is hoped that in the future Part 2 certification will be applied for and achieved.
Green Strategy
The client’s wish was to certify the building to the highest certification level possible. The aim from the beginning was to reach a rating of at least ‘Very Good’. Using BREEAM In-Use the client got an insight into how to achieve a high quality and sustainable building.
Even though the building is recently built, there were quite a few issues in different categories that were not clearly covered by project documentation. To overcome obstacles, a couple of additional surveys and audits were conducted to identify the actual situation.
“BREEAM In-Use is a clear system that helps to evaluate a building and compare it with best practice. For example, we, became fully aware what BREEAM considers water efficient equipment. Thus, in the future, when there will be need for replacements (e.g. dishwashers or showers) we have specific benchmark what to follow.” -Aare Hommik, Construction Manager at ECRE
The building has a very large proportion of windows and a reasonably narrow floor plan, allowing high daylight levels. Hotel clients are able to regulate thermal comfort in their rooms. Guests are able to adjust heating and cooling as well as modifying the air speed.
The building is equipped with a heating system less than 5 years old along with cooling and mechanical ventilation equipment. The building is connected to a district heating network with high heat source efficiency. Some areas of the building have occupancy sensor-controlled lighting which helps to avoid unnecessary energy use when not needed.
The building is located very close to the city centre with excellent access to public transport and several amenities in walking distance. Employees have the opportunity to commute with bicycles: there are secure bicycle parking spaces as well as changing and showering facilities.
The buildings water consumption is measured and measurements are accessible through BMS. The building is equipped with water efficient dual-flush WC-s. All urinals in the building are water efficient and controlled by PIR sensors which in combination guarantee low water consumption. The conference rooms large toilet areas are equipped with water efficient contactless hand washing fixtures.
Building security systems have been designed according to local best practices. Installed security system is certified according to international security standard. The building is in an area where no natural hazards are present.
There are 4 separate waste containers to collect 4 types of recyclable waste streams. Additionally, also batteries and light bulbs are collected separately to avoid disposal at landfilling stations.
The landscaping contains grassed areas and trees around the asset.
What are the benefits of assessing to BRREAM?
“As a global player in the hospitality market Hilton always tries to be in pace with the fast growing demand for the sustainable business improvements. Also, clients are becoming more aware of the sustainability and are more interested in the steps that companies take to make a change in their everyday procedures. To be able to show our clients the efforts that company goes through to make the hospitality a more eco-friendly business, puts us in the better position to secure a new businesses and also makes us proud that we do it with the kindness towards the nature as well.” -Jüri Padisaar a Chief Engineer at Hilton Tallinn Park
