EPIZEN Shopping Center (Andorra)
The EPIZEN Shopping Center in Sant Julià de Lòria (Andorra) has obtained LEED v4 BD+C: Core and Shell certification with 42 points, achieving the Certified level. The certification is awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and recognizes best practices in energy efficiency, responsible resource use, and environmental quality.
Images taken from epizen-andorra.ad and viurealspirineus.cat.
Sustainable Architecture
LEED BD+C: Core and Shell (v4)
The project was structured to achieve points across the main LEED categories, reaching a total of 42 points and Certified level.
Main achievements (by LEED categories):
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Location and Transportation (3 points): protection of sensitive soils and mobility-related measures including preferred parking and electric vehicle charging points.
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Sustainable Sites (2 points): pollution reduction measures during construction, 91% of parking spaces under cover to reduce the heat island effect, and sustainability guidelines for tenants and future users (tenant guidelines).
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Water Efficiency (6 points): elimination of the need for exterior irrigation, 43.25% reduction in indoor water consumption, and building-level and main subsystem water meters.
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Energy and Atmosphere (13 points): 45.2% energy savings compared to the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 baseline, building-level energy meters and advanced submetering, and responsible refrigerant management.
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Materials and Resources (9 points): reuse of more than 76% of the existing structure, use of products with verified EPDs, and efficient construction waste management promoting recovery and avoiding landfill.
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Indoor Environmental Quality (4 points): compliance with ventilation and IAQ standards, strict no-smoking policies, low-emission materials, and a construction indoor air quality management plan.
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Innovation (3 points): innovative strategies in material selection and responsible lighting procurement; participation of a LEED Accredited Professional on the team.
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Regional Priority (2 points): protection of sensitive soils and optimization of energy performance as priority aspects in the Pyrenean region.
Within the Energy and Atmosphere category, the project demonstrates:
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45.2% energy savings compared to the ASHRAE 90.1-2010 baseline.
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Building-level energy metering and advanced submetering for consumption tracking.
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Responsible refrigerant management (credit achieved in the scorecard).
As part of the LEED achievement process, the project incorporates verifiable technical criteria linked to:
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Sustainability guidelines for tenants (tenant design & construction guidelines), establishing requirements and best practices for future fit-outs and building use.
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Control plans and measures during construction, including pollution reduction and a construction indoor air quality management plan.
The project integrates environmental decisions with direct impact on the site and its surroundings:
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Protection of sensitive soils (Location and Transportation category).
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Measures to reduce the heat island effect, with 91% of parking spaces under cover.
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Waste management practices and reuse of the existing structure as a strategy to reduce the project’s environmental impact.
