Raising standards for eco-friendly office buildings
In JETS we are gaining insight and participating in diverse projects worldwide, where we’re often impressed and inspired throughout the process. One company exemplifying sustainability and innovation is Ghelamco, which has so far integrated Jets® technology into their developments, including the VIBE office building located in Warsaw.
Ambitions on a high level
Ghelamco has established itself as a leading commercial property developer in Poland, known for its focus on eco-friendly design and innovative solutions. With a portfolio that includes prestigious projects such as The Warsaw HUB and the award-winning Warsaw Spire, Ghelamco continuously sets new standards for sustainability, design, and quality.
One of Ghelamco team’s strengths is its ability to find new cutting-edge solutions and its willingness to implement these early across its projects. The company has always placed a strong emphasis on creating properties that are both attractive and sustainable, says Kris Wojcik, Business Development Manager at JETS, who has been involved in the collaboration between JETS and Ghelamco from the very beginning.
Ghelamco’s commitment to the environment and innovation is reflected in their high scores in various building environmental assessment and certification schemes like BREEAM, DGNB, and WELL - an approach that not only adds value to the properties but also benefits the community and protects the environment.
BREEAM: A global standard for assessing a building’s environmental performance, focusing on energy, water, materials, waste, and indoor climate.
DGNB: A certification evaluating ecological, economic, and social sustainability, with emphasis on lifecycle value and resource efficiency.
WELL: A standard prioritizing occupant health, measuring air, water, light, comfort, and mental well-being.
These certifications set benchmarks for sustainable, efficient, and people-focused buildings.
VIBE – Creating space for sustainable innovation
Ghelamco’s VIBE building is another milestone in office building development, setting a new standard by blending privacy, comfort, safety, and cutting-edge technology in an energy-neutral ecosystem. Designed by PIG Architekci, the 45-metre-tall building offers 15,000 sqm of flexible space within a lively business district with excellent transport connections. Sustainability was at the core of the design phase, with the ambition of achieving energy neutrality in line with Ghelamco’s strong ESG commitment. The results were also reflected in the BREEAM certification which achieved Outstanding Rating in the Final Assessment, and with a significant contribution from the vacuum water savings in the BREEAM Wat 01 – Water Consumption section.
JETS and Ghelamco – a natural collaboration
When Ghelamco worked on the VIBE project, they sought for the best solutions worldwide, also drawing inspiration from other buildings, like the Bloomberg office in London. This inspiring building achieved an exceptional BREEAM score and even today is regarded as one of the most sustainable buildings globally. Bloomberg installed Jets® vacuum toilets as part of their sustainability initiative and gave Ghelamco a strong recommendation for Jets® technology.
This resulted in Kris Wojcik and Bjarte Hauge from JETS, along with Jaroslaw Fiutowski and Arnold Neuville from Ghelamco, travelling together to London to visit The Bloomberg building. That visit sparked a mutual interest in collaboration.
The connection between JETS and Ghelamco opened doors to new opportunities for eco-friendly sanitary solutions in Poland, enabling Ghelamco to excel even further in meeting their ambitious sustainability goals, Kris Wojcik explains.
Water-Saving boosts higher BREEAM score
At the VIBE office building in Warsaw, over 60 Jets® vacuum toilets (model Jets® CHARM) have been installed, designed to support a workforce of up to 1500 employees. These toilets use only 0,8 litre of water per flush, compared to traditional WCs that require 3,75 litres on average. With an estimated 6000 daily usage of sanitary appliances, the building saves a substantial 17,700 litres of water every day, equating to an impressive 4,425 cubic meters annually.*
When it comes to water savings, Jets® vacuum toilets are particularly beneficial in office buildings, where the frequency of use per toilet is higher than in residential settings. This offers significant potential for water conservation, making the solution especially suitable for sustainable restroom facilities in commercial environments.
Flexibility and design freedom with Jets® vacuum technology
There were also advantages of using vacuum technology that came as a pleasant surprise for Ghelamco in the collaboration with JETS. Namely the flexibility it provides for both day-one toilet accommodation arrangements and unpredictable requirements of future tenants. With Jets® vacuum technology, Ghelamco can offer an almost limitless flexibility in tenants fit-out layouts.
A Jets® vacuum system allows both greywater and blackwater to be transported through small pipes (down to 50mm diameter instead of 100mm convectional drainage), which can be routed horizontally or vertically. This gives Architects the freedom of positioning tea points and sanitary appliances at any location unlike the traditional gravity-based drainage system.
Additionally, the position of appliances can be easily modified where required in the future. For a developer like Ghelamco, this means that rooms and facilities can be re-organised as tenants' needs evolve, without requiring extensive or disruptive work.
This flexibility is a clear competitive advantage, as it allows rooms to be adapted to meet the changing spatial and functional requirements of tenants. Needs can evolve over time, making adaptability important. For example extra toilets, or medical treatment rooms can be added anywhere without major alterations or disruption.
All these benefits and insights have motivated Ghelamco to further integrate Jets® vacuum technology into upcoming projects.
Long-term value for future property investors
By implementing Jets® vacuum technology in the VIBE office building, Ghelamco achieves a substantial increase in the value of its properties. Designed for minimal environmental impact and optimal resource use, these buildings provide future owners and tenants with the advantages of reduced water consumption and lower operating costs.
Jets® solutions also enable Ghelamco to minimise the need for extensive piping systems, enhancing flexibility for future building modifications - a highly valuable feature in a market that increasingly demands both green certification and cost efficiency.
Innovation that sets a new standard
These benefits highlight how Jets® vacuum technology aligns perfectly with Ghelamco’s vision of creating modern, sustainable buildings that meet the needs of both today’s and tomorrow’s property markets. By combining innovative solutions with forward-thinking design, Ghelamco is not only raising the bar for environmentally friendly construction but also setting a standard for flexibility and efficiency that others can follow.
With Ghelamco’s strong ambitions and focus on sustainability, we look forward to seeing their future projects take shape and their existing developments grow. It’s rewarding to be part of their journey, contributing to practical and sustainable solutions that make a real difference.
*Calculation based on 250 working days per year.