12.12.2024

A few months after its completion, the Piraeus Tower, the second tallest building in Greece, has obtained the highest Platinum certification of the international sustainability standard LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and officially becomes the first sustainable high-rise building in the country.

The Piraeus Tower is one of the most prominent examples of sustainable urban development, incorporating innovative strategies to reduce its energy footprint, promote environmental responsibility, and enhance the health and well-being of its users. At the same time, it exceeds the energy requirements of Greek legislation for existing buildings by three levels, achieving an A+ rating according to the KENAK standard.

The project adopted cutting-edge solutions at every stage of the reconstruction, with notable actions including:

  • Recycling of the old facade: Over 126 tons of glazing from the old facade were removed, sent for recycling, and returned as new material, part of which was reinstalled in the building’s new facade. This process contributed to saving 350 kg of CO2 per ton of glass.
  • Clean energy production: Through a modern 500 m² photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the Tower, the Tower produces clean energy to meet part of its needs.
  • Mediterranean planting: The surrounding area, the 3rd-floor terrace hosting the F&B area, and the roof garden feature approximately 1,000 m² of Mediterranean plants, which are irrigated exclusively with harvested rainwater. This enhances biodiversity, improves the microclimate, and simultaneously saves water.
  • Facade design: The specially designed facade of the Tower reduces solar radiation by 45%, limiting cooling loads by 20% in the interior spaces.
  • Facade lighting: The 10,000 m² facade can be illuminated every night with such low energy consumption that it is equivalent to the power usage of two residential air conditioners.
  • Parking spaces: All parking spaces are equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, promoting electric mobility.
  • Drinking water: The project includes systems for conserving, monitoring, and ensuring the quality of drinking water.
  • Indoor air quality: Advanced systems for monitoring indoor air quality ensure a healthy environment for users, with an advanced filtration system providing 30% more fresh air compared to local and international standards.
  • Materials: Around 200 materials with a low environmental footprint were used during the reconstruction.

It is worth noting that according to an academic study, the decision to renovate the Piraeus Tower, instead of constructing a new building of equivalent size, saved 42 GWh of energy. This amount is equivalent to the annual consumption of 10,000 households or the energy the building would consume over 15 years. Additionally, CO2 emissions were 23,100 tons lower, a quantity that could be absorbed by 58,000 acres of forest in one year.

With its innovative and sustainable design, the Piraeus Tower is not only a modern architectural landmark but also a crucial step toward the environmental upgrading of the city and the country.