Swire Properties Case Study on Indoor Air Quality

How IAQ is Embedded in Swire Properties’ Sustainability Efforts

From shopping malls to commercial buildings, Swire Properties has taken steps to track and improve indoor air quality across its portfolio.

Swire Properties has employed smart IAQ continuous monitoring systems across many of its holdings in the city, among them the core office buildings in Hong Kong, as well as 3 key shopping malls, Cityplaza, Pacific Place and Citygate Outlets.

In these buildings, IAQ sensors were installed to monitor key pollutant levels of CO2, PM2.5, PM10, TVOC, Ozone, and CO/Formaldehyde, as well as indoor temperature and humidity. This real-time monitoring system enables Facilities Management personnel to take clean air actions whenever IAQ abnormalities are recorded.

These sensors, which are placed in main lift lobbies and common areas within commercial buildings and shopping malls, and are now spreading across each typical floor. Data are shown on interactive displays with 1 hour average value. QR codes are shown on the displays, bringing users to have easy access to Swire’s dedicated IAQ webpage, where further details on air quality and specific level of air pollutants are provided.

Image: IAQ Digital Display at Taikoo Place

To allow for greater public engagement and improve accessibility of IAQ information, based on 5 selected pollutant parameters, including Respirable and Fine Suspended Particulates (PM10 and PM2.5), Ozone (O3), Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) and Carbon Monoxide (CO), Swire Properties opted for two IAQ levels: ‘Great Quality’ – represents a good IAQ protecting building users including the young and the aged; or ‘Prime Quality’ – represents a best in class IAQ for a high-end and healthy environment. In case the IAQ is out of the above-mentioned classifications, prolonged exposure to those pollutants may cause health issues. Apart from that, in 2024, approximately 98% of the common areas in commercial buildings across their HK portfolios achieved EPD’s IAQ Excellent class.

With reference to the WELL v2 benchmarking system, these colour-coded ratings(‘Great’ or ‘Prime’) are designed to give building users a better understanding and awareness about indoor air quality and the potential impact that it has on building users’ health.

The developer indicated that they would optimise the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, based on the real-time data collected by the sensors.

Promoting IAQ Amongst Tenants

Swire Properties’ approach to IAQ shows that the issue of clean air can be promoted as part of developers’ wider sustainability efforts. One prime example of their efforts integrating both IAQ and climate smart action is the Green Performance Pledge (GPP), which provides tenants with support in adopting best-in-class sustainability practices and improving ESG performance.

By the end of 2024, over 50% of Swire Properties’ office tenants have signed onto the GPP. As part of the programme, tenants who are fitting out or renovating their premises are encouraged to develop a construction IAQ management plan, adopt mitigation measures to protect indoor air quality during the construction period and flush out their premises before occupancy. They are also encouraged to install a smart IAQ monitoring system with display panel to continuously monitor and communicate IAQ performance indicators.

Image: Swire’s tenant engagement program

Another tenant engagement programme under Swire Properties is the Green Kitchen Initiative, which promotes sustainability conversations between landlord and F&B tenants well-before fit-out and renovation take place. By the end of 2024, over 120 F&B outlets in Swire Properties’ Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland portfolios have received the Green Kitchen Award for taking up recommendations to improve resource efficiency and the indoor work environment.

One of the main partners of this initiative is Maxim’s Group, whose Thai Basil in Pacific Place has received the highest Three-Leaf Green Kitchen Award. Through adopting various green features, the shop recorded major efficiency improvements in electricity (7%), gas (26%), and water (59%), while also cutting the overall carbon emissions by 14%. The shop also adopted high-efficiency exhaust system and spot-cooling to improve thermal comfort for kitchen staff.

Swire Properties highly values building wellness in their operations integrating Smart IAQ system to track and monitor air quality performance across its portfolio. Beyond real-time monitoring, they actively promote awareness of air quality among their tenants through engagement programs during the fitting out and operational stages.

Acknowledgment: Photos courtesy of Swire Properties.