Diamond Tower - Porta Nuova Varesine

Gold level for LEED 2009 Commercial Interiors

Sustainability has been the keyword that has characterized the whole design and construction phases of the entire complex. The skyscraper has been in fact part of a redevelopment urban project, named: “Progetto Porta Nuova ” where the key object was to significantly reduce the building energy consumptions in the surroundings area.
The LEED® certification program has been adopted, since it promotes a sustainability-oriented approach, recognizing the performance of buildings in terms of energy savings and water resources, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, quality of indoor environments in terms of user welfare. Furthermore, one of the certification milestones is the choice of eco-friendly materials and resources used, or the site and its connection with the city, as well as considering the management and maintenance of buildings over time.
The Diamond Tower has been awarded LEED® Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) under Commercial Interior rating system.
This was possible thanks to a broad spectrum of strategies, from leveraging site advantages to innovative designs to reducing energy demand, using sustainable construction techniques, selecting sustainable materials and more.
Among the sustainable construction and design features of the buildings have been included:
- Alternative forms of transportation through proximity to mass transportation are encouraged to reduce the carbon footprint of occupants travelling to and from the buildings;
- Building products were procured from local and regional manufacturers within 800 km of the project site to reduce embodied carbon emissions and minimized the building’s carbon footprint.
- Materials with high level of recycled content have been selected
- natural daylight has been maximized and LED high efficient lighting systems have been installed
- In order to minimize the internal solar heat gains, to reduce cooling costs, and avoid glare shading system has been implemented
- In order to reduce the energy load for heating, high efficient heat recovery systems are fitted on air-handling units to recuperate heat from the exhausted air and to reuse it to the supplied air.
- High-reflective “cool roof” materials protect against the urban heat island effect and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, light-colored paving materials was also specified to further minimize the heat island effect.
- Healthy indoor finishes and paintings with low and zero VOC (volatile organic compound) content are selected for the interior spaces.
- Water is saved by means of water efficient bathroom fixtures and faucets.
- The complex is powered by a geothermal plant.