Cinnamon Bay : First hotel in Sri Lanka to win LEED Gold
View(s):Cinnamon Bey Beruwala became the first Hotel in Sri Lanka to be awarded the LEED V-2009 Gold certification after observing and meeting the expectations of all green standards required of a business entity. A press release from the Cinnamon hotels states, Cinnamon Bey’s sustainable efforts from its inception as a project were recognized and rewarded by LEED as one of the best projects in Sri Lanka.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of green buildings, homes and neighborhoods. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is intended to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. LEED is the most popular and most recognized green rating system in the world and obtaining a certification is deemed very prestigious for any organization.
‘There aren’t many businesses which approach sustainability through the discipline of engineering but I am proud to say that Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts is a hotel chain that drives sustainability through modern engineering techniques. Obtaining LEED Gold certification shows how far we have come in this journey and I am pleased to announce that this is only a one milestone in a series of such achievements we have envisioned as a group’ said Michael Jayasekera – Head of Projects and Engineering, Cinnamon Hotels .
The LEED Version of 2009, which is the current rating system, audits and examines five key areas as follows: sustainable sites which look at ecological impact, water efficiency- which covers reduction of total water usage and water efficient landscaping, energy and atmosphere-for energy efficiency of the building and integration of all systems and equipment properly into the building envelope. The fourth area is material and resources which cover what green materials have been used in a particular project and finally indoor environmental quality which looks at measures taken to prevent air pollution and strategies established to gain more daylight into the complex and less thermal energy. A minimum of 60 points were required to receive the LEED Gold certification, which Cinnamon Bey Beruwala comfortably achieved.
Some of the key green features in the hotel building included: an energy efficient envelope and mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, resulting in utility cost savings of 32.2% and innovative water management strategies that allow the building to use 65.62% less potable water than a conventional building. During construction, 70% of the construction waste was diverted from landfills and sent to recycling plants for reuse. Innovative water-efficient landscaping system that was in place also reduced the potable water usage in the irrigation system by 100% and a commendable strategic Erosion and Sedimentation Control System kept the contamination and pollution to the eco system at a minimum.