Eco-Conservation at Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama
The concept for Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama is “Green Innovation Village - State-of-the-art creative research laboratories scattered in the green.” The site incorporates a lot of greenery and is designed to harmonize with the local community. It has state-of-the-art equipment, and takes steps to conserve energy and even harness energy through the use of natural energy, reducing CO2 emissions. Its sustainable facility design aims for environmental coexistence.
Climate change countermeasures
For Chugai Pharmaceutical, climate change countermeasures are of utmost importance. We have set a goal of reducing CO2 emissions to zero by 2050, in line with the 1.5°C target. At Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama, we are promoting energy consumption reductions and sustainable electricity adoption. We will also convert our use of freon, a gas which has a significant global warming impact, to using natural refrigerants instead.
Achieving both a pleasant interior and energy efficiency
For the offices at Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama, natural lighting, interior lighting and air conditioning are controlled using the latest information and communications technology. Illumination and air conditioning efficiently focus on areas where people are present, and lights are turned off and air conditioning air flow is reduced automatically in unoccupied areas. In addition, window blinds are automatically controlled according to the amount of sunlight, making active use of daylight.
Installation of solar power generation equipment
Photovoltaic panels are installed on office building roofs. The generated electricity is transmitted to offices for lighting and air conditioning, helping to reduce electricity demand and CO2 emissions.
Installation of energy monitoring equipment
An energy monitoring system to collect data on power usage and heating and cooling for all buildings will be installed to manage energy usage and plan energy conservation measures.
Procurement of sustainable electricity
Beginning in January 2023, plans call for the purchase of CO2 -free sustainable electricity, using hydroelectric power generation to reduce overall CO2 emissions.
Installation of natural refrigerant equipment
Lab refrigerators and freezers that use hydrocarbon-based refrigerants have been adopted as a counter-CFC measure.
In addition, a cooling system using CO2 refrigerant has been installed for the low-temperature experiment rooms and the cafeteria refrigeration room.
Use of recyclable resources
Rainwater harvesting & reuse
For the office buildings, rainwater storage tanks and rainwater filtering facilities are installed to reuse rainwater.
The filtered rainwater is mainly used for flushing toilets and watering outdoor green areas, to reduce water consumption.
Greening measures
Harmony with the local landscape
An extensive green belt over 300m long has been developed along the boundary of the premises on the west side, for a feeling of openness for pedestrians in front and for people using neighboring buildings, and to achieve a lush green landscape. A promenade open to the local community has been laid out within the green belt, adding to the improvement of local amenities.
Accentuating existing cherry trees
Cherry trees have been planted along the boundary of the premises on the east side to provide greater spatial dimension to cherry blossom scenes along the Kashio River Promenade. Cherry trees were planted over an expansive area in the green belt on the west side of the premises, enhancing the legacy cherry blossom landscape.
Acquisition of external certifications
Acquired LEED GOLD® certification under the “LEED” international green building rating system
LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is an environmental performance rating system for buildings and cities developed and operated by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization. Through this program, third party organizations certify that a building is safe for people and nature, protects water, energy and other resources, promotes sustainable material cycles, and is eco-friendly as a whole.
Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama acquired the “LEED GOLD®” certification in the “LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction*” category for its Office building (W08) and Research building (W03) in recognition of the following efforts.
- On the west side of the site, we have developed a large green belt open to the neighborhood, creating an outdoor space with a variety of vegetation.
- We have adopted electric vehicles to be used on the premises, assuming that employees use public transportation to commute to work. In addition, we have installed electric vehicle charging facilities at various locations on the site.
- We achieved the highest score in the relevant rating category by adopting water-saving devices and actively using rainwater.
- We are working to save energy throughout the building by paying attention to building insulation performance and equipment efficiency, and by installing solar power generation equipment.
- We care for the health of our workers by carefully monitoring indoor air, heat, and light environments.
- During the building process, we worked to recycle construction waste and achieved a high recycling rate.
* LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction: This is the v4 (the latest version released in November 2013) BD+C (Building Design and Construction) category of LEED certification, rating New Construction.
USGBC website
Office Building(W08)rating details
https://www.usgbc.org/projects/chugai-life-science-park-yokohama-office
Research Building(W03)rating details
https://www.usgbc.org/projects/chugai-life-science-park-yokohama-lab03
Acquired the highest “S Rank” in the Yokohama City Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE Yokohama)
Under the Yokohama City Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE), a building owner prepares a Built Environment Efficiency Plan that promotes comprehensive eco-efficiency measures for energy conservation, building life extension, harmony with surrounding cityscapes, and greening. The system consists of two stages, notification and certification. Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama has acquired the highest rating, “S Rank,” under the CASBEE Yokohama certification system.
Yokohama City website
https://www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/city-info/koho-kocho/press/kenchiku/2022/0110casbee.html
The following webpages provide more information on Chugai Life Science Park Yokohama.
