One of the coolest cities I have ever visited is Lisbon, Portugal. With cool cafes, beaches within city limits and architecture beaming with history Lisbon really has it all. The Alcantra neighborhood in Lisbon is in the heart of the city and is showing the modern transformation that Lisbon is undergoing as new buildings are being built.
ALLO is one such building that is pushing the next generation of green buildings in Alcantra neighborhood having been completed in December of 2023 achieving a LEED Gold accreditation on the rating systems of BD+C: Core & Shell for LEED v4. The office space consists of 2 buildings that have 7 floors each with a total area of 39,000 square meters above ground with 681 underground parking spaces. Between the two buildings is a courtyard with outdoor seating for building occupants to utilize while also having rooftop space as well.
One of the most interesting aspects of the LEED rating system is the Regional Priority Credits that differ depending on where in the world the building is being built. ALLO was able to obtain 3 out of 4 Regional Priority Credits for Sensitive Land Protection, Reduced Parking Footprint and Light Pollution Reduction. These credits show what is important to Portugal and Lisbon in particular. Another area that ALLO scored highly in is the Location & Transportation Space having obtained 19/20 credits available only missing one credit for Bicycle facilities on campus that is an easy upgrade.
ALLO’s website noted three pillars that are important to the campus and community that works within the office space:
Having and maintaining the LEED Gold Certification. LEED is a globally recognized sustainability achievement helps to publicize the initiatives that ALLO have taken to ensure the building is as sustainable as possible.
Targeting a WELL Gold Certification. WELL is a standard that is more focused on human health with emphasis on air, water, light and fitness that impacts overall human health and well-being. This certification explores the connection between the physical buildings health and the wellness of its occupants
Targeting a WIREDSCORE Certification that looks at in-building connectivity that focuses on a buildings ability to adapt to technology, security of digital infrastructure and mobile coverage strength.
WELL building standard is often utilized alongside LEED as LEED looks at the sustainability of the physical building and WELL looks at how the occupants health is impacted by the building. In order for a building to achieve a WELL Gold certification a project has to achieve 60 points in 2 different concepts to ensure that there is a balance between building health and human health. This building standard also looks at the nourishment of the food and beverages being sold, the quantity of daylight and the destinations of users of a building. In having this building standard ALLO is showing its continued commitment to human health as we go further into the 21st century.
Interested in Learning More?
USGBC Page: https://www.usgbc.org/projects/allo-alcantara-lisbon-offices
ALLO Website: https://allo.pt/#sustainability
WELL Ratings: https://www.wellcertified.com/ratings/