Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan’s 509-metre Taipei 101 has become the world’s tallest building to receive LEED platinum rating, the highest level in the green building rating system.
In a ceremony held in Taipei on July 28, officials from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and local dignitaries said the achievement heralds a new era in green building.
Previously the tallest building in the world, Taipei 101 is now the world’s second tallest building after the opening of Dubai’s 828-metre Burj Khalifa in 2010.
In addition to becoming the world’s tallest green building, Taipei 101 is also the largest scale building to achieve LEED Platinum rating, with a total area of 148,645 square metres.
“We started improving energy efficiency in 2007 and in the three years, we had already made that investment back. We expect to save US$1.2 million annually on energy costs, compared to 2007 levels,” said Cathy Yang, vice president of the tower division of Taipei 101.
Comprising 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground, Taipei 101 was designed by C.Y. Lee & partners and constructed by KTRT Joint Venture at a cost of US$1.8 billion.
The tower was opened on December 31, 2004.
