Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
Embodied carbon and material efficiency
The building’s envelope and structural systems were developed with an awareness of embodied carbon through material efficiency and long-term durability. For example, the project’s form and facade geometry were digitally optimised to minimise redundant cladding components.
Locally manufactured materials and prefabricated facade modules helped reduce transport-related emissions and on-site waste.
The glass specification — Şişecam Ecosol T 50, a temperable low-E solar control glass — provides combined thermal insulation and solar management, reducing both embodied and operational energy impact over the building’s lifespan.
Operational Emissions / Energy
Operational energy and emissions
Energy efficiency was a key driver in the building’s design. The north-west and north-east elevations incorporate a double-skin facade with operable vents that regulate airflow seasonally: retaining heat within the cavity during winter and allowing natural ventilation during summer. This passive thermal strategy significantly reduces reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, improving occupant comfort while lowering operational energy use.
Quartz Plaza achieves an estimated operational energy intensity of 100–130 kWh/m²·year, delivering annual energy savings of approximately 900 MWh and an associated reduction of roughly 405 tons of CO2e per year.
The glazed envelope, designed for daylight optimisation and solar control, further minimises the need for artificial lighting and cooling.
The building’s core placement also contributes to passive climate control, leveraging thermal mass for long-term operational stability.
Afterlife
Quartz Plaza’s interior organisation supports longevity and adaptability. The open-plan offices use modular partition and seating systems, allowing spaces to evolve with changing tenant needs without major reconstruction. Durable materials, including hybridised concrete surfaces (combining mineral texture with refined finishes), anodised metal finishes, and ribbed glass partitions, ensure a long service life with minimal maintenance or replacement requirements.
The alignment between the exterior glass geometry and interior materials fosters a consistent architectural logic, encouraging reuse of systems and finishes in future refurbishments.
Key products in low carbon design
