Vermosa: A certified model of sustainability
Sustainability is an issue that affects us all. With climate change and pollutants shaping our natural environment, everyone feels the effects of these factors on our health.
Thankfully, some widespread efforts are being made to mitigate the harm being done to nature.
Many of these commendable endeavors lie in the real estate industry. In particular, one Philippine developer has made it a mission to become a corporate champion in sustainability.
Ayala Land has been named as one of the world’s most sustainable companies by Time this year. Known for its carbon-efficient properties and renewable energy projects, the company continues to deliver with its latest achievements.
A community for people and the environment
Recently, Ayala Land’s Vermosa was awarded the Berde 5-Star Certification under BERDE Districts. The Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) awarded the distinction. This recognition reflects Ayala Land’s significant efforts to do its part in the fight against climate change.
Spanning 752 hectares across Imus and Dasmariñas in Cavite, Ayala Land’s Vermosa estate is a masterplanned, mixed-use estate envisioned as a modern suburban community.
Designed around active, healthy and sustainable living, it brings together residential communities, commercial districts, educational institutions and world-class sports facilities within a green, pedestrian-friendly environment.
Its residential developments under Ayala Land Premier, Alveo Land and Avida Land offer homebuyers a range of home choices, complemented by major lifestyle destinations such as Ayala Malls Vermosa, Vermosa Campus Town and Landers Superstore.
The estate is also home to De La Salle Santiago Zobel School’s Vermosa campus and the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, giving residents convenient access to education and recreational facilities
A model of sustainability
Vermosa features elements that make it the ideal model of sustainability. Twenty four percent of the estate is allotted for open, green spaces.
In terms of energy use, Vermosa features rooftops fitted with solar power panels. Even streetlights are solar-powered. Cooling networks use energy-efficient systems to ensure that nothing is wasted.
Even residents are encouraged to live sustainably through architectural details. The Vermosa Greenway, in particular, offers a place where residents and visitors can ride their bikes.
Roads are also regularly made car-free to promote walking and cycling. Lastly, public transportation is available in the area, reducing the need for numerous cars.
A benchmark for wellness estates
Going beyond its role as a mixed-use estate, Ayala Land’s Vermosa creates a space that takes care of people’s health and well-being.
From its fitness facilities to its green features, the offerings of the estate ensures that its inhabitants thrive. Such surroundings are restorative to our health.
Environmentally conscious communities like Vermosa uplift the quality of real estate in the Philippines. They challenge the norm of buildings merely being structures of shelter.
Instead of becoming a detriment to climate change, such buildings equip us with the capacity to prevent the deterioration of our environment. By incorporating healthy and green features in its elements, projects like Vermosa make architecture a tool for better living.
The author is a self-employed architect with more than a decade of experience working with Filipino architectural firms and holds a master’s degree in Interior Design for Commercial Spaces from IED Barcelona, Spain
