A leading multinational consumer goods corporation—renowned for its commitment to environmental stewardship through sustainable manufacturing in Japan—set sustainability goals to address environmental challenges such as the depletion of finite resources and growing consumption. One of the company’s primary objectives is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% in its manufacturing facilities.
When the company initiated the construction of a new manufacturing site in Shiga Prefecture, it quickly recognized the importance of integrating various eco-friendly features into the facility’s design to ensure alignment with its broader sustainability targets. This led to a partnership with Arcadis to explore pathways toward achieving LEED certification, which will inform, benchmark, and celebrate the project’s sustainability goals and achievements.
Our team of LEED consultants worked closely with the client and its project team to identify designs and construction features that align with the comprehensive framework of LEED, focusing on creating healthy, efficient, and cost-saving sustainable industrial infrastructure. We reviewed the documentation to ensure that sustainability was seamlessly integrated into every stage of the design and construction processes. We then provided guidance on sustainable building practices, offering strategies to optimize energy efficiency and minimize waste. Working alongside the project team, we also identified building materials and systems that would enhance the facility’s eco-friendly elements.
By delivering full technical support throughout the entire project life cycle, from project conception to building turnover, we helped the client achieve its sustainability goals. This effort culminated in the new facility receiving a LEED Silver certification, validating its commitment to sustainable practices.
The building's design integrates a range of features that successfully reduced its environmental impact. One notable aspect is the utilization of recycled water, resulting in a significant reduction in usage. Additionally, the installation of high-efficiency equipment further contributes to savings. Energy efficiency is enhanced through an optimized lighting layout, careful fixture selection, and the use of human-sensor lighting.
To promote energy savings, the ventilation system includes an economizer that uses ambient air during colder months. This feature doesn't only lower energy use but also improves overall air quality within the facility. During construction, waste management practices have been adopted to ensure adherence to sustainable practices throughout the project’s life cycle.
The collaborative efforts between Arcadis, the client, and the project team have resulted in the creation of a 212,000 sqm industrial manufacturing facility. This facility successfully meets the client's business requirements while integrating sustainable design elements that benefit the environment.
The built environment is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with manufacturing facilities in the industrial sector being particularly energy intensive. Despite the geographic distance between us and the client, our team was able to provide support on designing an energy-efficient facility in Japan. The project received a LEED Silver certification under the New Construction version 4 rating system, demonstrating a 16% improvement in energy performance. Overall, this project showcases how collaboration and expertise can lead to sustainable solutions and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, which serves as a positive example for the industry to follow.
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