Groundbreaking has gone ahead on what will be Manila's first green office building to gain a LEED gold certificate, a rating system used in the USA as a guide to anyone involved in the creation of sustainable buildings.
It's been named the Zuellig Building after the Zuellig family who are much respected not only in the business community for there operating in the area since the 1900's, but also their philanthropy. Once completed the tower will stand at 155 metres, and comes from the sketch pads of world renowned architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.
Not to many pages were take up on the design however because what they have come up with is essentially a bog standard glass box similar to what the firm invented in the fifties and sixties that so revolutionised office buildings.
Set on a columned base the international style tower has two levels one shorter than the other, giving it two flat peaks. A hint of modernity is shown through the angular vertical strips of cladding that run in front of the full height glazing.
The tower will be located on the outskirts of Makati's Central Business District and is in walking distance of the metro and train routes, but to encourage workers to cycle specially allocated bicycle spaces feature in the 5 storeys of underground.
To gain its LEED certification the tower boasts a number of green features including the collection of grey water for use in irrigation and flushing purposes.
When complete the tower will provided 65,000 square metres of grade A office space and more importantly 2,000 square metres of retail therapy space so workers can go and spend their wages before they earn them
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Subject: SOM Return To International Style In Manila 
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