Arthaland Launches Green Development LUCIMA in Cebu City

by The Cebuano · July 7, 2021

Real estate developer Arthaland has once again cemented its position as the leader in developments that focus on sustainability, wellness, high quality, and superior design. On July 5, 2021, Arthaland, the only developer in the Philippines with a portfolio which is 100% certified as sustainable, officially broke ground on yet another gem for Cebu City, Lucima.

“We want to share our vision and commitment to different parts of the country. Cebu is the best place to start it off in the South for Arthaland, following the success of our company’s office building development, the Cebu Exchange,” said Jaime C. González, Vice Chairman, and President.

Lucima is a 37-story development that sits on 2,245 square meters of prime real estate at the corner of Cardinal Rosales Avenue and Samar Loop in Cebu Business Park. Envisioned to be the first quadruple-certified sustainable high-rise residential condominium in the country, the project has once again put Cebu City on the global map for green buildings.

The project has earned pre-certification for LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council. Additionally, it is vying for WELLTM (WELL Building Standard), EDGE® (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), and BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) certifications.

According to Arthaland Executive Vice President Christopher G. Narciso, “Cebu is fast gaining prominence as a leading regional hub and preferred location for some of the most renowned global institutions. Investors and locators alike can look to Lucima to set the standard of luxury living in the city through its timeless design, meticulously executed construction, and thoughtful sustainability features.”

The name Lucima is a combination of the Latin word “Lux” which means light, and the Spanish word “Estima” which means appreciation, light and its benefits are the inspiration behind the building’s aesthetics, functionality, and energy efficiency. Light gives a solid architectural narrative, dictating what space feels like. Carefully planned features will allow abundant light to penetrate inside the homes while preventing indoor heat gain. Light also impacts our mental and physical health as it has been proven to promote enhanced mood and productivity.

The project is designed by Saraiva + Associados, an internationally renowned architectural firm based in Lisbon, Portugal. It features 263 one to five-bedroom living spaces ranging from 38 to 542 square meters. Saravia + Associados is known for its human-centered design approach that puts comfort, functionality, and aesthetics at the center of every project they undertake. Each unit has a high floor-to-ceiling height of 2.9 meters, and residents can enjoy a view of the ocean, the mountains, or the city.

Architect Miguel Saraiva, CEO, and Founder, Saraiva + Associados said, “The goal of this project was to design an iconic building in the city that would engage with its surroundings. This building sits on a podium – a podium with personality – which will showcase a vertically well-designed and integrated building. Its façade will have different interpretations depending on the solar incidence and depending on how it is viewed from the outside to the inside.”

Lucima is the ideal address heading into the future as residents will benefit from lower electric and water bills and improved indoor air quality. Carefully planned with health, safety, and security in mind, the development is poised to become one of Cebu City’s most coveted addresses.

Through its efficient building envelope and use of energy-efficient air-conditioning and lighting system and low flow plumbing features, residents and tenants can achieve at least 40% savings in electricity bills and at least 20% savings in water consumption. Each unit will have an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) that improves indoor air quality by bringing in fresh, filtered air while controlling the humidity for thermal comfort. The ERV is equipped with highly efficient air filters, the same grade used for laboratories, to prevent harmful microbes and pathogens from entering the space. This results in reduced incidents of cold, fewer allergies, and a better quality of sleep. The units are also air-tight, where the main door and windows are mechanically designed, to prevent unwanted dust, sound, and odor transmission between spaces for better acoustic and indoor air quality. As with other Arthaland developments, Lucima will have its own Potager Garden to provide residents with fresh, organic, and nutritious produce.

To ensure the utmost peace of mind and to guarantee the building retains its value, Arthaland’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Emera Property Management, shall handle every aspect of Lucima’s upkeep and day-to-day management. It is committed to advancing comfort, security, safety, and wellness by introducing key technologies such as remote virtual concierge and semi-autonomous surveillance robots that promote a safer, contactless environment