Global developer Skanska has unveiled plans for the first climate-neutral office project in the CEE region.
The firm's innovative construction, based on structural timber to reduce the asset's carbon footprint, will start on site at Radlická Street in Prague in 2023.
Katarzyna Zawodna-Bijoch, CEO and president at Skanska commercial development CEE said: 'As a city builder, we are fully aware that what we do is there to stay for a long time. We are accountable to future generations and sustainability is just how we want to do business.
'Our ultimate goal is to build only climate-neutral buildings. In order to achieve this ambition, we need to look constantly for climate-smart solutions and – as we will not do it ourselves – involve the supply chain in reducing the climate impact. I believe having the right partners and a constant search for innovations are crucial to building a more sustainable future.'
Skanska has made a global commitment through a climate target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, with a 50% reduction by 2030.
According to the firm's research, building and construction are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world, with operational emissions, from energy used to heat, cool and light buildings, accounting for 28%.
The remaining 11% come from embodied carbon emissions, or ‘upfront’ carbon that is associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole building lifecycle.
The new office building will be situated on 13 000 m2 pf land in Prague 5 in close proximity to a subway station. The leasable space is estimated to be 30,000 m2.
Alexandra Tomášková, executive vice president operations Hungary & Czech Republic at Skanska commercial development Europe said: 'To achieve our goal of a climate-neutral building, besides other highly efficient and sustainable solutions, we are going to replace structural elements from concrete to timber.
'Wood has amazing qualities. One of the best, especially in the current context of accelerating climate change, is the fact that the material has a very low carbon footprint. Wood not only stores CO2, it can also be re-used when the lifecycle of the building is over. The use of wood is a part of an ongoing natural lifecycle.'
“In order to survive, humanity has to start using less. Wood is the answer to many of our criteria,' said Jakub Cigler from Jakub Cigler Architekti, the studio responsible for the project. 'The building is going to be great to work in,' he added.
Jakub Cigler Architekti, which specialises in sustainable buildings, also designed Skanska's Visionary scheme in Holešovice district in Prague, which became one of the greenest office buildings in the world.
