Tishman Speyer and Lenovo’s Houhai Harbour Tower in Shenzhen, ChinaEarns Rare LEED Platinum Certification

Jun 12, 2023

Tishman Speyer announced today that Houhai Center Tower A in Shenzhen, China has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the highest rating bestowed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Developed by Tishman Speyer and Lenovo, the 42-story, 80,200-square-meter tower, which was completed in 2022, incorporates Class-A office space within a vibrant mixed-use environment that also includes retail and cultural programming.

The most widely used green building rating system in the world, LEED is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership that provides a framework for healthy, efficient and cost-saving green buildings. To achieve certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality.

After a comprehensive assessment, Lenovo Houhai Center Tower A was officially granted LEED Building Design + Construction Platinum certification, placing it among a select group (Core & Shell Development) of Chinese towers that have earned the organization's highest distinction. In Shenzhen, Platinum-certified buildings account for just 3 percent of LEED certified buildings.

"Tishman Speyer has long been at the forefront of creating sustainable and energy-efficient environments that enhance the health and well-being of our customers and the global communities where we operate," said Wilson Chen, CEO of Tishman Speyer China. "In partnership with Lenovo, we sought to make Houhai Center Tower A the most environmentally responsible development ever created in Shenzhen. We view this LEED Platinum certification as a validation of our collective efforts."

Working with world-renowned architecture firm KPF, Tishman Speyer and Lenovo produced a tower curtain wall that is equipped with laminated glass to block ultraviolet radiation. The team also reserved an openable window on the curtain wall to enhance indoor and outdoor air circulation as well as produce an energy-saving effect on the entire building.

To further ensure the health and stability of indoor air quality, Tishman Speyer and Lenovo incorporated a series of air sterilization and filtration functions and ensured that environmentally friendly materials were used in the production of adhesives, sealants, coatings and paints.

Lenovo Houhai Center Tower A features a rotated upper volume that creates a dramatic gateway towards the waterfront with sweeping views of the coastline. The development includes a series of green spaces that link the parks at ground level to the podium roof gardens and sky gardens, which include some of the largest sky terraces in the area. Local and adaptive plants have been planted throughout the development's green spaces to cultivate an ecological space. The installation of a rainwater recycling system has reduced irrigation water consumption by 50 percent.

Additional sustainability measures have been incorporated into the design, construction and operation of the tower including a significant proportion of recycled and local materials, a highly efficient cooling system, water saving sanitary fixtures and equipment with variable speed control. To promote energy efficiency at the customer level, Tishman Speyer and Lenovo will target green leases. The tower's occupants also benefit from access to two metro lines and on-site electric vehicle charging piles.