In association with Tidhar and Yuvalim
The climate crisis has long since become part of the main discourse, and as part of the attempts to reduce its damage and enable a high quality of life – along with protecting the environment – the real estate industry has also joined efforts and is updating the nature of planning and construction.
In Israel, Green Building Standard (5281) has been introduced, which stipulates that every new building must meet minimum requirements in each of the nine relevant areas and components: energy, land, water, materials, health and welfare, waste, transportation, construction site management, and innovation. Only after the construction company has met all the clauses, it can officially declare that it is green building.
In 2013, the Forum of 15 Independent Cities adopted the standard, and in March 2021 the standard came into effect as part of the Planning and Building Law. It was determined that every building in Israel with more than six apartments, a commercial and office building with more than <>,<> square meters, an educational institution, etc., will be obligated to comply with it.
Working according to the new standard and commitment to regulatory requirements forced construction companies to make adjustments that were not always welcomed, since the change involves high planning and construction costs and appropriate preparation. Tidhar and Yuvalim groups, understanding the advantages of building an environment and sustainable buildings for the residents, warmly adopted the standard.
Real estate benefits its surroundings
"Tidhar – as considered one of the pioneers in the field – has championed sustainability out of responsibility for the environment and understanding the commitment of those involved in the industry to do everything in their power, using the tools at their disposal, to prevent the worsening of the climate crisis," says Anat Chervinsky, VP and Chief Architect at Tidhar Group, "As those involved in one of the most polluting industries, concern for the environment and future generations is before our eyes and we find ways to reduce environmental damage. Energy and energy efficiency are currently at the center of the discourse, and at Tidhar we give this utmost importance."
"In the projects we are promoting, we examine how to reduce the amount of waste, what materials we use and how we improve energy efficiency indicators during the operation of the building, so that they reduce the ecological and carbon footprint in the process. We work every day to exploit the technological revolution to our advantage in terms of sustainability as well. On regulatory issues, as part of our worldview, we are expanding the scope beyond what is currently required by the standard, and the aspiration is to meet the maximum requirements rather than the minimum requirements."
Concern for sustainability is expressed in a variety of issues, starting from the project examination stage: its location, connectivity to urban textures, maximum accessibility that encourages pedestrian traffic and maximum access to public transportation. Also taken into account are the location of the buildings, their redirection to natural light, shading and a mix of residential, employment, commercial and public services, which constitute the basis for creating a vibrant living space, where people will find everything within their reach and close to them.
Health Care - First and Foremost
At "North Star" in Ashdod, a new project of Tidhar and Yuvalim groups, with maximum accessibility, at a strategic point in the city, emphasis is placed on green building and sustainability. The project includes four residential towers with an upgraded and meticulous construction standard, including private spaces for the benefit of the residents, such as residents' clubs, a collaborative work space, an activity area for the little ones, a gym and a fun space for youth, alongside commercial complexes, employment, a synagogue and kindergartens. All these have created a diverse array of uses for the convenience of the residents, who will hardly have to travel to other places in the city for daily needs. This is in addition to the proximity to the Star Center, which allows shopping and entertainment without moving the vehicle.
The project, in its various parts, is oriented towards energy savings and proper construction and expanded compliance with the Israeli standard and relates both to the project environment and to the buildings themselves. The standard improves all aspects that make a building energy and water efficient, and beneficial to its environment. It improves the thermal aspect of the insulation, the energy consumption of the building in order to reach a good acclimatization level - cooling, heating and lighting - in the most economical and efficient way.
The "North Star" project will meet the threshold of 3 green building stars, which constitute a significant jump from the minimum required today of <> star as mandatory in the regulations. It has been designed with an A+ energy rating (the highest) and provides high thermal comfort in all residential unit spaces, saving energy consumption for cooling and heating apartment spaces.
Gal Ketner, Head of Sustainability in Tidhar's Planning Management Department, adds: "We operated in the 'North Star' project on several levels – first, energy efficiency, which is expressed in maximum savings in electricity consumption, and by placing emotions and timers for reductions in consumption in common areas. In addition, measurement and control measures were implemented that will regularly transmit energy consumption data to the project management company as an aid to decision-making to reduce energy consumption in the common spaces.
"In addition, in the water sector, systems have been implemented to maintain the quality of drinking water – from transporting it by dedicated pipes and pollutant-free systems (Standard 5425), through the implementation of systems for monitoring and detecting leaks and treating tartar, to installing barriers and split flush tanks throughout the plumbing system."
In the scope of the project, Ketner says, open spaces were dedicated to the benefit of users, including measures to reduce the urban heat island, treat nighttime light pollution, preserve existing trees and significant new plantings, design that supports street life and preserves the environmental fabric – flora and fauna – in the residential environment.
"Most of the construction materials in the project will have a green pass, recycled materials, life cycle assessment and materials manufactured and transported in Israel," emphasizes Ketner, "The most important area for us is health for our residents. There is great care in the design of buildings in which only materials without radioactive pollutant emissions will be incorporated, materials with protection to prevent mold accumulations, protection against electromagnetic radiation in residential areas, improved acoustic quality in all assemblies in buildings, limiting dazzling illumination levels with continuous and pleasant uniformity when moving between areas, control of fresh air entering buildings and interior spaces, and more.
"During construction, we are meticulous about means of separating construction waste and packaging for recycling, separating operational waste, recycling 100% of excess dirt from the excavation and minimizing the effects of the construction site on the direct and indirect environment of the project. We are proud to lead the market in this field and create healthier and less environmentally harmful habitats."
Recruiting everyone
Tal Mills, CEO of the Israel Green Building Council: "The process of enforcing the Green Building Standard began last March and is required in order to align all the authorities. Unlike the 15th Forum, which adopted the standard long ago, the other authorities did not do so and were not sufficiently familiar with the subject. Today, we, together with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and in cooperation with the Association of Contractors and Builders of the Land, are doing everything possible to reach all the local authorities and developers, in order to explain and assimilate the importance of green building, and so that they will not be caught unprepared when they submit building permits."
"Once they start enforcing the standard, we can work on excellence in green building. One star is very important but not enough, and all parties must take the issue a step further. Forum 15 understands this and has already prepared an outline for building 2 and 3 stars. Ultimately, green building is healthier and more economical. She meets all of us in everyday life with everything, our children every moment they live at home, and adults every time they pay bills. It's important for all professionals to implement this because as far as we're concerned, there's no other option."
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In association with Tidhar and Yuvalim