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| (Image Source: SM Supermalls) |
At SM Supermalls, efficiency begins at the drawing board. From maximizing natural daylight and airflow to incorporating energy- and water-saving technologies, every mall is thoughtfully designed to enhance the customer experience while reducing environmental impact. This holistic approach allows SM Supermalls to deliver modern, comfortable spaces while supporting the communities it serves – benefiting both people and the planet.
“Sustainability and efficiency are at the heart of how SM Supermalls are built, designed, and managed. SM has gone above and beyond to incorporate energy-saving spaces and practices that support both our own and national efficiency goals,” said SM Supermalls Vice President for Operations Engr. Junias M. Eusebio. Passive design elements maximize the use of natural energy. SM integrates natural daylight into its mall designs to improve energy efficiency, reduce electricity use, and create more inviting spaces for customers with its expansive skylights and high-ceiling atriums. LED lighting further conserves energy, producing more brightness, and using significantly less power. Only 10% of exterior surfaces are fronted with glass. The rest is made from Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS), a fire-resistant material that improves customers’ indoor and al fresco experiences. Moreover, windows and entrances are angled accordingly to improve airflow throughout the mall interiors. Windows on the west side use low-emissivity glass to protect customers from harmful ultraviolet rays while maintaining comfortable temperatures for customers as they go through their mall routines. Behind the scenes, SM Supermalls also uses a state-of-the-art Building Management Systems (BMS) that allows the mall operator to manage its properties fluctuating energy demands throughout the day. This innovative system has empowered SM Supermalls to save up to 50M kilowatt hours annually. These initiatives are driven by the SM Green Movement, an SM sustainability campaign that integrates environmentally responsible practices across the SM group, to scale simple, everyday acts into systemic impact, thereby protecting the planet’s resources for present and future generations.
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SM Advances Water Stewardship Through Circularity
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| (Image Source: BusinessWorld Online/SM Supermalls) |
For SM, rain is a valuable resource especially for critical cities in the Philippines facing severe water scarcity. From its very first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) implemented in the 1990s, SM Supermalls’ innovative practices conserve and maximize the precious resource of water. Through its rainwater treatment facility in the historically rainfall rich yet water challenged province of Benguet, the mall is advancing water stewardship by capturing, treating, and reusing rainwater to supplement its operational needs. The SM Baguio Rainwater Treatment Facility (RTF), launched in 2023, is the first-of-its-kind in the country and showcases the mall operator’s seamless integration of sustainable water management into its daily operations. This approach reflects the principles of a circular water system, where water is managed responsibly through reuse and resource efficiency, by keeping water in circulation. “At SM, every drop of water counts. As such, rainwater is seen as more than simple runoff. Through the technology we’ve invested in the SM Baguio Rainwater Treatment Facility, the rainwater we collect is transformed into a viable resource,” said SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance Engr. Liza B. Silerio. In partnership with local ozone technology expert Pure O3, SM’s RTF utilizes an exceptional multi-stage water treatment process integrating resource disinfection, filtration, and reverse osmosis. Harvested rainwater is transformed into a reliable source of potable water that businesses within the mall can rely on for their operational needs. Stringent, continuous monitoring, and testing ensure that the water meets the required standards. The SM Baguio RTF can provide an estimated 51,000 cubic meters of water per year or one third of the mall’s annual water consumption. Building on its success, SM’s northern rainwater treatment facility model will soon be replicated in Central Luzon.
