"Sąvaržėlė" Business Center Achieves Top BREEAM "Outstanding" Sustainability Rating

The "Sąvaržėlė" business center in Vilnius has earned the prestigious BREEAM "Outstanding" rating under the "International New Construction" certification, placing it among the top sustainable buildings in the capital.

This highest tier of BREEAM assessment, a widely recognized global standard for building sustainability developed in the UK, evaluates projects on criteria beyond just energy consumption. It considers indoor environment quality, natural light, accessibility, water usage, and numerous other factors. Marius Žemaitis, board member and fund manager at "Lords LB Asset Management," the company that developed the center, stated that the "Outstanding" rating confirms the thorough integration of sustainability principles from the initial design phase.

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The Outstanding rating is confirmation that sustainability principles have been considered in "Sąvaržėlė" from the very beginning of the design process.

Kęstutis Kvietkauskas, head of "SEES Group" which conducted the assessments, highlighted the growing importance of BREEAM certifications for both investors and international companies seeking office spaces. He noted that while energy consumption and emissions are key sustainability indicators, the balance between investment cost and return on investment is crucial. "Justifying sustainability through certifications is currently the simplest approach, but concrete data is equally significant: energy consumption, life cycle analysis, sub-metering strategy, and HVAC solutions," Kvietkauskas explained.

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BREEAM certificates are becoming an important criterion for both investors and international companies when choosing office spaces.

"Sąvaržėlė" achieved its high rating through specific sustainable features such as a double-skin facade system, a cooling system based on water circulation, and individual control over temperature, humidity, and CO₂ levels. The construction utilized partially recycled materials and integrated green architecture. The project also includes amenities like electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle and scooter storage, and shower facilities, emphasizing that sustainability at "Sąvaržėlė" extends to the daily experience of its users.

The surrounding landscape features over 1,700 square meters of greenery, a nearly 2,900 square meter green roof, and a striking living vine installation in the central atrium. Designed by the studio RSHP, founded by British architect Richard Rogers, in collaboration with landscape architects "Gillespies," the greenery is intended to be integral to the employee experience and the building's overall sustainability, not just an aesthetic addition. The steel frame construction allows for large, open spaces without internal columns, enabling more efficient interior layouts and potentially saving 20-25% of the usable area.

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The most important indicators determining a building's sustainability are energy consumption and emissions during both construction and operation. However, in practice, decision-making is often complicated by investment costs and long payback periods, making it crucial to combine efficiency with responsible cost management.