• GTC office buildings in Łódź and Katowice have been certified in the EU GreenBuilding programme
  • The first phases of both complexes were completed in 2010

Office parks developed by Globe Trade Centre S.A. (GTC) in Łódź (University Business Park) and Katowice (Francuska Office Center) have received certificates in the prestigious EU GreenBuilding programme organised by the European Commission.

EU GreenBuilding certification confirms the high quality of both projects. Under the requirements for certification, the buildings use at least 25% less energy than a typical office building of a similar standard designed and built in accordance with the requirements of Polish law. The University Business Park and Francuska Office Centre save approximately 40% of energy. Key solutions include energy-efficient windows that prevent overheating of rooms, effective ventilation with recuperation (heat recovery), and computerized building management system (BMS) and lighting control.

The GreenBuilding programme has been carried out since 2005. The purpose of the programme is to encourage developers to adopt energy-saving solutions, resulting in a reduction of energy consumption in office buildings and other facilities. Projects seeking an EU GreenBuilding certificate must meet rigorous requirements and pass through a multi-step review process, including an energy audit.

University Business Park is located in Łódź, between al. Kościuszki and ul. Wólczańska. The complex offers a total of 37,500 sq m of Class A office space. The project was designed by the Łódź studio NOW Biuro Architektoniczne. The general contractor was Strabag. Tenants with offices at University Business Park include such companies as Intergraph, Kredyt Bank, Aegon, Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń na Życie Warta, Hermann Kirchner, Bankruptcy Management Solutions, Tax Care and Pharmena.

Francuska Office Center was built in the centre of Katowice at ul. Francuska 34. The complex offers 21,700 sq m of modern office space. The design was created by the renowned architectural studio APA Wojciechowski. The general contractor was Hochtief Polska. Tenants at the complex include such companies as Ruch, Bank Millennium, Nordea Bank, Philips Lighting and Berlitz.

Both of developments were completed in 2010. In addition to state-of-the-art technical solutions, they provide tenants the opportunity for flexible arrangement and efficient use of the space, e.g. for back-office, research or laboratory purposes. They also offer the opportunity to grow within the same office park, which in both of the cities is still a rare option.