Brama Portowa II in Szczecin was awarded LEED Platinum certification. Following Brama Portowa I, it is another commercial building in Szczecin which has successfully undergone the LEED certification procedure.
The certificate confirms that the building was designed and constructed using technologies intended to achieve increased electricity and water savings, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, and air quality control inside the buildings.
The Brama Portowa II office building was rewarded among others for increased ventilation efficiency, thermal comfort and access to daylight.
An innovative energy-saving ventilation system supplies 30% more fresh air than in standard office buildings complying with the applicable norms. A very important feature of this system is the so-called “free cooling” in spring and autumn seasons. Further, the system guarantees quiet operation of devices which increases the working comfort. High coefficient of heat transfer and efficiency of the ventilation system reduce loss of energy necessary to heat or cool spaces, by supporting high thermal insulation ratio in the building.
The so-called heat island effect which we often come across in traditional buildings was eliminated in the Brama Portowa through the use of white membrane to cover the roof. The membrane reflects sun rays so the building does not get overheated. The heat island effect is also mitigated by the location of the parking garage in the underground level of the building.
A similar role is played by a layer of silver which covers the windows on the sides of the building exposed to the sun. The protective layer prevents the interiors from overheating. Further, a large number of windows ensures optimum access to daylight. All windows can be opened, which is uncommon for this type of building.
A lower roof level is covered with plants to create an extensive green roof. The green roof does not require irrigation as rainwater and moist air are sufficient. This solution increases the biologically active area. By slowing the outflow of rainwater it also creates a microclimate. The insulation created by the green roof also helps reduce the heat island effect. Some solutions used in the Brama Portowa II also promote alternative transportation methods and rational waste management.
Near the building and in the garage hall there are parking spaces for bicycles, and cyclists may use dedicated showers and locker rooms. Further, the parking garage contains battery charging points for electric cars. Due to a comprehensive waste and office garbage segregation system in place, more than 60% of materials are recovered from waste generated by tenants. During the construction process, the system made it possible to recover more than 50% of construction waste.
During the course of the certification process, a lot of emphasis was placed on optimum occupant comfort. The quality of the internal environment is monitored by the integrated Building Management System [BMS] which also controls all technical systems to minimise the building operating costs and to increase its functionality and safety.
The Brama Portowa II building, which is commonly referred to by the residents of Szczecin as Poczta, is a seven-story office building with more than 8,000 m2 of leasable area. The project was commissioned at the end of 2012. Its tenants include LUX Med and PKO Bank Polski.