SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property arm of SM Investments Corp., has opened two more malls in Luzon, showcasing sustainable designs that respond to various market and environmental changes.
The SM Puerto Princesa City in the tropical capital of Palawan and SM Tuguegarao in the booming town of the North in Cagayan province are both environment-friendly as a part of SM Prime’s commitment to disaster mitigation and the reduction of the property firm’s carbon footprint.
Architect Fides Garcia-Hsu, vice president of SM’s engineering, design and development said the newly opened SM City Puerto Princesa has cost-efficient, energy-saving as well as disaster-mitigation features. The three-story mall, which spans a floor area of over 69,000 square meters has high or clerestory windows to allow natural lighting and minimizing the use of electricity during day time.
She said restaurant and toilet waste are treated through the sewage treatment plant and rainwater collection is incorporated with the water recycling system which will be repurposed for toilet flushing, plants irrigation, cleaning or maintenance and other non-potable purposes that helps in the conservation of freshwater.
“Recycled water will also be used in the air-conditioning system’s chilled water and cooling towers to reduce fresh water consumption. Paver blocks are strategically used in the parking areas to allow rainwater penetration in the grounds to replenish underground water table,” she said.
The design for SM City Puerto Princesa made by architectural firm DSGN Associates creates a unique identity along the island’s well-known thoroughfare and within a short walk to the popular Baywalk Park and nearby pier. Landscaping and sculptural façade blend the mall into its setting while providing sheltered walkways for pedestrians along the street.
On the other hand, the newly opened SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown which is SM Prime’s 65th mall has taken great care during the design and throughout construction to preserve two large trees along Mabini Street. As a benefit, the East entrance of the mall is located between two shady tree canopies.
The mall uses LED lighting and has solar panels installed on the roofdeck which can provide 484 KW of electricity. A rainwater catchment located at the entrance driveway can hold an equivalent of 215 cubic meters of floodwater equivalent to 215,000 one-liter soda bottles.
Also designed by DSGN, the SM Center Tuguegarao has blue facade that provides an accent to the main thoroughfare. Its interior is organized around an efficient “T” shaped plan that allows a clear line-of-sight to multiple shops on multiple levels at all times. Strategically placed spacious openings, flanked with sleek escalators and a centrally located elevator and stairs, provide for optimal customer convenience and access to all portions of the mall.
Beyond the mall’s aesthetics, SM believes that investing in sustainability safeguards the welfare of customers, tenants and the malls’ host communities.
“More than distinct and iconic designs, SM also takes great care in considering that the designs fit a purpose, for the convenience of shoppers, for energy conservation, for higher visibility of tenants and for easier navigation which have always been the lessons from our founder, Mr. Henry Sy,” Garcia-Hsu said.
