Press Release : A Decade of Sustainable Impact
Since its founding in 2014, Green Building Consulting & Engineering (GBCE) has dedicated itself to transforming the construction industry across Asia and Europe through innovative and sustainable practices. By placing occupant health and environmental preservation at the heart of every project, GBCE works to reduce building carbon footprints while ensuring optimal performance. Over the years, our company has positioned itself as a leader in green building, collaborating with visionary clients and partners to implement increasingly sustainable practices.
As Armelle Le Bihan, GBCE's CEO and founder, stated in her speech marking the company’s 10th anniversary: ‘At times, pushing for change felt like an uphill battle. But having a few key people placing their trust in us from the start made all the difference.’ This initial trust enabled us to overcome key challenges and create a lasting impact toward a greener future.
This article reflects on GBCE’s major achievements over the past decade, honors those who contributed to our success, and looks ahead to future opportunities.
Key Achievements of GBCE
Innovative Project Highlights
Over the years, GBCE has distinguished itself by pioneering sustainable building projects. Through a rigorous approach and a commitment to innovation, we have collaborated with visionary partners to design buildings that combine high environmental performance, occupant comfort, and respect for natural resources. Here are some notable examples that showcase our commitment to greener, more responsible construction.
U-Tapao Airport City, Thailand
The U-Tapao Airport City project exemplifies our ability to support large-scale infrastructure projects with an ecological dimension. As sustainability consultants for this airport city initiative, we worked closely with the consortium to integrate sustainable strategies into the planning of the passenger terminal, commercial zones, and transportation infrastructure. This project, blending public and private initiatives, stands as a model for sustainable infrastructure in Southeast Asia, demonstrating the feasibility of integrating ambitious ecological practices into projects of national significance.
AHURP, Mongolia
The Affordable and Climate-Resilient Housing Program in Mongolia, funded by the Asian Development Bank, is an ambitious project aimed at transforming the urban landscape by introducing eco-districts. With 10,000 residential units designed to house nearly 100,000 residents, this 100-hectare project addresses the demand for affordable housing while integrating climate resilience and energy efficiency strategies. Targeted climate mitigation outcomes include direct greenhouse gas emissions reductions of 7.92 million tons of CO₂ equivalent over the project's economic lifespan, with indirect reductions potentially reaching 39.59 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. GBCE provides advanced technical expertise, ensuring that each stage, from design to implementation, meets high sustainability standards. This project embodies the social impact of our commitment, demonstrating how sustainable construction can also support the development of accessible housing.
Ducati Manufacturing Facility, Thailand
The new Ducati manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand, exemplifies Ducati’s commitment to sustainability in industrial operations. Set on a 9.6-hectare site with 29,000 square meters dedicated to engine and vehicle manufacturing, warehousing, and office space, this project integrates advanced green building principles in collaboration with GBCE and Archetype Thailand. Targeted for LEED Gold certification, Ducati’s facility is designed with energy-efficient lighting, low-flow water fixtures, low-VOC materials, and a fresh air ventilation system to optimize performance and minimize environmental impact. Water conservation plays a central role, featuring low-flow plumbing fixtures that achieve over 40% water savings, along with native landscaping and drip irrigation to minimize irrigation needs. Additionally, an on-site sewage treatment plant (STP) allows for wastewater reuse in landscaping and flushing, decreasing reliance on municipal water sources. Stormwater management is addressed with strategically placed drains connected to a natural canal, promoting efficient water flow and environmental harmony. This project underscores Ducati’s dedication to sustainability within the manufacturing sector, pushing forward environmentally responsible practices within industrial operations in Thailand.
E-Commerce DC, Thailand
Frasers Property Industrial Thailand (FPIT) has developed an advanced e-commerce fulfillment center in Ayutthaya, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable logistics solutions. GBCE collaborated with FPIT to achieve LEED Gold certification, overseeing compliance, conducting daylight simulations, and optimizing performance to align with the highest environmental standards. The 70,000 m² facility integrates sustainable design elements, including on-site solar panels, recycled steel, EV charging stations, and advanced air filtration, enhancing air quality and operational efficiency. Additionally, the facility emphasizes water and energy conservation, with features that reduce water consumption, eliminate irrigation needs, and support energy savings through efficient lighting and air conditioning systems. This eco-friendly logistics hub provides a model for responsible industrial development in Thailand, addressing the needs of multinational clients who prioritize sustainability in their distribution spaces.
Pomme de Pain, France
This project represents a first in France, with Pomme de Pain's restaurant in Boulogne-Billancourt becoming the very first quick-service establishment to achieve LEED Platinum certification. This distinction highlights an exceptional commitment to sustainability. GBCE guided Pomme de Pain in integrating high-impact ecological strategies, including 100% renewable energy usage, efficient water management, and low-carbon materials. This project is an inspiring example of how sustainable construction practices can transform the image of fast food by placing customer well-being and operational efficiency at the core of the concept.
Each project highlights our commitment to transforming the building industry, underscoring our belief that sustainability drives both economic and environmental progress.
Distinctive Services and Methods
GBCE’s Unique Approaches
At the core of our expertise lies our Value Engineering service, a process that combines ambitious sustainability goals with efficient cost management. By carefully analyzing building components and systems, we uncover opportunities to replace certain materials, streamline processes, and optimize design elements without compromising quality or sustainability. This approach enables our clients to achieve their financial targets while meeting the highest standards of environmental performance and sustainability. It is particularly valuable for those managing tight budgets yet aiming for ambitious sustainability goals, ensuring a balance between economic and sustainable development imperatives.
We also offer Parametric Analysis, leveraging advanced computational tools to explore a wide range of design configurations, energy performance scenarios, and material choices from the earliest design stages. This method provides data-based recommendations, allowing our clients to make informed decisions aligned with their sustainability objectives. By anticipating and comparing the outcomes of various design strategies, we ensure solutions that are not only environmentally optimal but also economically viable and aesthetically pleasing.
Why We Stand Out
GBCE sets itself apart through a genuinely holistic and integrated approach to sustainable design and engineering. Unlike many companies that treat sustainability as an optional add-on or a checklist, we embed sustainability principles from the earliest stages of every project. This approach involves considering the entire lifecycle of the building—from initial design through to operation and eventual decommissioning. By integrating sustainability at each phase, we significantly reduce environmental impact and operational costs while enhancing building performance and occupant comfort. Our multidisciplinary approach combines expertise across architecture, mechanical and structural engineering, landscaping, lighting, and acoustics, resulting in cohesive, high-performance buildings.
Advocacy, Leadership and Industry Engagement
To accelerate the shift toward green, low-carbon buildings, GBCE goes beyond technical expertise by actively investing in building skills and strengthening industry ecosystems. Our initiatives combine events, strategic partnerships, and advocacy efforts to promote low-carbon buildings both regionally and internationally.
One of our flagship initiatives is the annual Green Real Estate (TGRE) event, a leading platform that brings together industry leaders, experts, and decision-makers from across the Asia-Pacific region. TGRE strengthens connections among often-disconnected stakeholders in the value chain, creating synergies that accelerate the decarbonization of the real estate sector. The event showcases innovative projects and highlights concrete examples demonstrating the economic and environmental potential of sustainable buildings, driving the evolution of standards and practices across the industry.
Beyond these events, GBCE engages in regional climate roundtables, notably the Climate Regional Roundtables APAC on Sustainable Buildings. These roundtables, held in preparation for COP, provide a unique opportunity to shape actionable frameworks for the industry. As a strategic partner, Armelle Le Bihan plays an active role in developing measures to guide the building sector toward the goals of the Paris Agreement and beyond.
In Mongolia, our commitment is exemplified through the AHURP project, where we lead capacity-building activities to improve the environmental footprint of the construction sector. This initiative encompasses building code reform, energy modeling, and life-cycle assessments, along with training programs to strengthen local expertise.
These efforts reflect our holistic vision of impact. At GBCE, we are committed to transforming the industry beyond individual projects, advocating policies and practices that contribute sustainably to a more responsible future.
Conclusion
After a decade marked by pioneering projects and an unwavering commitment to sustainable construction, GBCE would like to express deep gratitude to our partners, clients, and collaborators. Their support and trust have enabled us to realize our vision, advance industry standards, and make a meaningful contribution to reducing the building sector’s environmental impact.
As we look to the future, we remain more committed than ever to pushing the boundaries of sustainability and inspiring lasting change. We invite all those who share our vision—architects, engineers, policymakers, and investors—to join us in shaping a future where sustainable construction becomes the norm.
Interested in learning more about our services? Contact us!
Written by Mehdi BELAHOUCINE
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