Ecological thinking is IN across many aspects of current life and has found its place in construction as well. Despite this modern trend, there are still few green buildings in Slovakia. Soon, Košice will be proud to have one of these eco-friendly buildings among its structures. Modern architecture, cutting-edge technologies, low operating costs, and premium environmental quality come together in the unique green building Bastion Office Center, currently being completed by the development company MM Invest, s.r.o. This exceptional business center is located directly in the center of Košice on Továrenská Street, right next to Hlavná Street. The building has six floors, 11,330 square meters of office and retail space, a three-story underground parking garage with 229 parking spaces, and five barrier-free entrances.

There are 20 properties in Slovakia that have received the globally recognized American LEED GOLD certificate. Only two of them are in Košice. Bastion Office Center is one of the holders. What exactly does this mean? LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized certification system. Buildings aspiring to this certificate must focus on energy savings, water efficiency, CO₂ emissions reduction, indoor environmental quality, and the impact of materials and resources on the environment. The main advantages of a green building with LEED certification include lower operating costs, a better-quality working environment, and, looking to the future, an increased investment value of the property.

Obtaining LEED certification means the investor must think ecologically from the very beginning. This starts with selecting construction materials, which must be certified, healthy, and preferably sourced locally to reduce long-distance transport.

Bastion Office Center is built from environmentally friendly materials using eco technologies. The business center is also energy efficient. This is evident, for example, in its water-saving systems: the toilets are equipped with special flush mechanisms that use a maximum of two liters of water. Water flow from faucets is also reduced to the minimum needed.

Ján Marušin, Managing Director of MM Invest, s.r.o., explains that the building uses double piping systems — potable water from the public water supply flows into the sinks, but the toilets flush with groundwater. “This results in significant savings of drinking water. The surrounding walkways will not be asphalted but paved. They’ll be lined with flowerpots, making the promenade pleasant for the public. Of course, the greenery will also be watered with groundwater.”

One of the specific requirements of a green building is that it must not produce light pollution. Thanks to Bastion Business Center, Košice can boast a great example of this right in the city center. Even the roof of the building will not reflect light into the surroundings, as it must be covered with river gravel.