Aspira Business Centre – sustainability trend

The ambitious and modern building was commissioned by the Czech company Livesport according to the design of Studio acht at a busy intersection in Prague near the Nové Butovice metro station. At first glance, it stands out with its regular floor plan and the grid facade made of glass and natural stone. As the first administrative building in Prague, Aspira received high environmental certifications for sustainability: LEED Gold and BREEAM Excellent. In line with the builder's focus on sports, the building includes bicycle storage with showers, a ventilated changing room, and a gym with relaxation rooms. Not only does the roof feature a spacious green terrace, but also a diesel generator that secures half of all outlets in case of a "blackout." Consideration for ecology and quality is also reflected in the choice of construction materials. One of those that contributed to obtaining the certifications and enabled the realization of this project is the Ytong construction system.

At the Aspira Business Centre, the protruding risalit of the northern wing catches the eye, which marks the street space of Bucharova Street; this corner of the building is deliberately planned as a future important accent along the planned Radlická radial. At its center, Aspira hides a generous glazed atrium that impresses with its lightweight and structurally innovative suspended skylight and exceptional acoustics, allowing concerts to be held there. Surrounding it are easily adaptable offices and, on the ground floor, multifunctional spaces suitable for a restaurant, café, or small retail. A striking interior element is the Aspira light object, inspired by the underwater world. Although the glass elements hang in one place, they accompany visitors throughout the building. In addition to this functional and aesthetic aspect, attention was also paid to environmental issues in many details; there are small features such as a "bug hotel," bat houses, and rock gardens for lizards in the surroundings and on the land.

LEED and BREEAM Certifications and Their Significance

As the first administrative building in Prague, Aspira received high environmental certifications for sustainability: LEED Gold and BREEAM Excellent. Their acquisition provides a competitive advantage in many ways. Due to the achieved values, it reduces operating costs and increases the building's value – the certifications BREEAM and LEED are aimed at foreign investors and developers who are accustomed to them. The certifications also guarantee that proven principles of environmental friendliness have been used in the building. They improve the environment within buildings and create healthy and pleasant working conditions. The certification guarantees quality, including sustainable elements integrated into the project, and their standards far exceed the minimum requirements in regulations. Last but not least, it also positively impacts corporate image – sustainability and ecology are demonstrably expressed here in the form of an independent certificate. The Ytong construction system significantly contributed to their acquisition, as it was used here in Aspira as a building material for walls, installation infill for utilities, partitions, etc.

An important impetus for choosing Ytong aerated concrete was its high environmental value. Throughout its life cycle, from the extraction and processing of raw materials, its production, quick and easy construction, minimal energy demands during construction, to the disposal of the building, Ytong shows more benefits for the environment than losses. Of course, practical properties such as ease of processing and, as a result, minimal construction waste, precision of masonry, and high fire resistance also played a role in the choice of building material.

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source of photos: Studio acht Archive