Colombia. Within the framework of Construverde 2014, the International Forum on Sustainable Design and Construction, organized by the Colombian Council of Sustainable Construction, Sodimac Colombia, the company that owns the Homecenter and Constructor warehouses, received the LEED Platinum certification, the highest international distinction, in terms of sustainability.
The company obtained this recognition due to the application of rigorous environmental care standards in its Homecenter Cajicá store. The LEED Platinum certification was presented by Scott Horst, LEED Senior Vice President of the US Green Building Council.
The warehouse has solar panels for alternative power generation, in addition to not having mechanical ventilation equipment, without sacrificing comfort standards for customers and collaborators.
It also installed irrigation systems with rainwater and with an intelligent lighting scheme that self-regulates according to the presence of natural light. To these elements are added the procedures applied during the development of the work to ensure less environmental impact, such as the choice of construction materials available in the region.
According to Miguel Pardo, General Manager of Sodimac Colombia, "We started this path five years ago, with the help of the Colombian Council for Sustainable Construction, with the conviction and dream of contributing to promoting environmentally friendly constructions in the country, which is part of our integral model of social responsibility."
In Colombia, Sodimac has certified five stores in four years: Cajicá LEED Platinum (September 2014), Manizales LEED ORO (October 2012), Cedritos LEED Silver (April 2014), Montería LEED Silver (August 2013) and Bucaramanga LEED Silver (October 2011).
Image: Courtesy of the Colombian Council for Sustainable Construction.
