Amber Forest receives the inaugural LEED v4.1 Communities: Plan and Design Platinum Certification in Europe.
A Hotbed for Greener Living: Amber Forest Suburb Sets the Bar High with LEED Platinum Certification
Step into the future of sustainable living as Amber Forest, Europe's first residential project to snag the LEED v4.1 for Communities: Plan and Design Platinum certification, leaves no stone unturned in its pursuit of a greener planet. The US Green Building Council (USGBC) bestowed this recognition upon this remarkable project, reinforcing its dedication to the environment. Let's delve into the world of Amber Forest and discover why it's setting new standards for sustainability and co-living.
A joint effort by wellbeing community developer Alesonor, Amber Forest has successfully met each and every requirement under the LEED v4.1 for Communities: Plan and Design certification. Designed to drive buildings, communities, and cities towards high performance in key areas related to human and environmental health, this prestigious certification system more than lives up to its name.
According to Leonidas Anastasopoulos, Managing Partner of Alesonor, being a LEED pioneer comes with great responsibility and a commitment to the collective mission of sustainability. "We aim to create a multiplier effect in the region and foster sustainable, resilient communities where the exchange of knowledge and experience is encouraged for a better future," says Anastasopoulos.
Undoubtedly, transforming our cities into more sustainable habitats is a meticulous process that happens one building, one block, and one community at a time. Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC, praises Alesonor for embracing the value of LEED and setting goals and strategies that are suitable for the community and residents. Each new LEED certification brings us one step closer to revolutionizing the places where we live, learn, work, and play.
Boasting a sprawling 31-hectare footprint, Amber Forest is a mixed-use sustainable development that houses over 700 nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) smart villas and apartments, a vast 5.3-hectare park and green areas, a sports club in partnership with Pescariu Sports&Spa, educational services provided by Verita International School, commercial facilities offering essential amenities like cafes, restaurants, farmer's markets, supermarkets, bakeries, and shops, a co-working hub, an outdoor cinema, and medical services.
Besides its striking architectural features, the project is a shining example of sustainability, focusing on water savings, energy efficiency, low greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, material resource management, efficient transportation, sustainable site development, biodiversity, low-density development, and high quality of life.
As of December 2024, approximately 200 families have already begun calling Amber Forest their home, with the first green residences delivered since the end of 2023.
Alesonor, an accomplished developer of wellbeing communities like Amber Gardens, has been at the forefront of the Romanian real estate sector for over 22 years. Past projects like Clover Residence, Magnolia Residence, Ivy Office Residence, Almond Tree Residence, and Amber Gardens stand testament to their dedication to balanced design, quality, and nature-integration. The company continues to push the envelope with their latest project, Amber Forest, the first complete suburb in Romania.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the driving force behind the LEED program, is renowned for accelerating and scaling the transformation of the built environment, minimizing climate impacts, and enhancing the well-being of people, the environment, and communities worldwide. USGBC advocates for public policies that encourage and enable green buildings and communities, and they provide educational resources and the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo to further their mission.
In a nutshell, Amber Forest's LEED Platinum certification is the shining beacon of a well-planned, comprehensive, and ambitious project that not only follows the guidelines set by LEED v4.1 for Communities: Plan and Design but goes the extra mile to make sustainable living the norm for its residents.
[1] USGBC. (n.d.). LEED v4.1 for Communities: Plan and Design. Retrieved from https://www.usgbc.org/leed/ratings-systems/leed-v4-1-communities-plan-and-design
[2] USGBC. (n.d.). LEED v4.1 for Communities Sustainable Sites Credit 1: Smart Location and Linkage. Retrieved from https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-v4-1-communities-sustainable-sites-credit-1-smart-location-and-linkage
[3] Verita International School. (n.d.). Amber Forest. Retrieved from https://veritainternationalschool.ro/our-schools/amber-forest/
- The USGBC, known for minimizing climate impacts and enhancing well-being, recognized Amber Forest's commitment to sustainability with its LEED v4.1 for Communities: Plan and Design Platinum certification.
- Alesonor, an experienced developer in balanced design, quality, and nature-integration, is investing in a sustainable future with the implementation of science-backed environmental-science principles in Amber Forest.
- To finance these ambitious projects, Alesonor has been successful in attracting investments from forward-thinking financial sources, recognizing the long-term value of sustainable real-estate developments like Amber Forest.
- In line with Alesonor's mission to foster sustainable, resilient communities, Amber Forest integrates innovative solutions like nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) smart villas and apartments, a vast park, and essential amenities to support its residents.
- Amber Forest's LEED certification requires ongoing measurements and improvements, ensuring that the project continues to contribute to a greener planet and higher quality of life for its residents.
