In 2009, Arthaland Corporation joined the Philippines real estate scene with a specific goal — and it's right there in the name. From the Sanskrit word "artha," denoting purpose, knowledge, significance, and wealth, Arthaland's focus isn't merely selling the country's most advanced real estate properties. Instead, Arthaland is dedicated to something a little more intangible and far more important. For over a decade, Arthaland's focus on sustainability has made them the foremost green developer in the Philippines. Every project is built around that same ideal, mixing the most efficient technologies of the present with the hope of a better and brighter future. It's a mindset that's helped Arthaland become one of the most innovative companies, not only in the Philippines or among Delta Media Group's wide-ranging customer base but also throughout the world.

With plenty of press attention over the last few years, including a recent spotlight in the BBC Storyworks' #BuildingABetter-Future series, Arthaland's approach of building more while building smarter isn't only working; it's thriving. As Jaime C. González, Vice Chairman and President/ CEO of Arthaland, says in the BBC video, "We consider that climate change is one of the most important and pressing challenges in the world today. We are putting the Philippines at the forefront of the fight against climate change. And [we are] the only real estate developer in the country with 100% certified green development portfolio." 

SETTLING INTO SUSTAINABILITY

When Arthaland first began doing business, one of the biggest obstacles was defining what, exactly, sustainability was and then, perhaps even more challenging, explaining that definition to the rest of the world. Ask one person what they believe sustainability and a green-focused mindset are, and you'll get one answer, while to someone else, it means something totally different. But now, more than ever, working with the environment has become as important to companies as laying the proper foundation. And Arthaland has been at the forefront of that.

"[People] realize the benefits of going sustainable," says Senior Vice President Oliver L. Chan. "The DNA of Arthaland is to make sure that everything we do not only helps our people but also helps our investors at the same time, and then the biggest thing is helping the environment and making sure the future generations have something to look forward to."

For Arthaland, sustainability has three main pillars.

One, of course, is the environment and the impact real estate has on it. The industry is one of the leading contributors to carbon emissions, while rapid development, urbanization, and high-energy costs all cause their own negative impacts. It's why Arthaland was motivated to build the first-ever net-zero carbon building, as recognized by the World Bank's International Finance corporation program.

People also play a large role in what Arthaland does, especially right now. Living during an international health pandemic has made sustainability more prominent than ever as people do their best to stay as healthy and well as possible. Lastly, cost affects sustainability and its perception.

"When you talk about costs, when building sustainably, people say it's more expensive, but you have to think of long-term," Chan says. "The cost becomes savings because you'll consume less energy, actually outweighing the initial cost of building a sustainable development."

With five major properties across the Philippines, Arthaland has quickly established itself as the leader of green-focused development. Arthaland is the first property developer in the country with a multi-certified commercial building, the first LEED Platinum-certified neighborhood, and the first to create a green resident condominium. At Arthaland's flagship office development, Century Pacific Tower, the company participates in the Philippines Green Building Council's Advancing Net Zero program using the building's parameters as the template for the local Net Zero energy certification. The tower's electricity is 100% supplied by an off-site renewable energy source to neutralize its operational carbon emissions, and the building reduces energy use by 45% and water consumption by 64%.

For Arthaland, sustainability is not simply an idea; it's an active practice.

GROWING GREEN

Chan has been part of Arthaland since the beginning, a licensed mechanical engineer who was previously the Property Manager of Ayala Property Management Corporation. And while he was doing well at his previous position, something about Arthaland struck him; the chance not only to improve his career but to better the world around him both now and for future generations.

"It's the impact that we can make to society," Chan explains, "but the most important thing is the core values of the company. Seeing that, let's put sustainability in the forefront, and let's try to make a difference."

He adds, "If you talk to other developers, they also say, 'We mean business by making sure that our investors get their money's worth.' Right? 'Make sure that their investment into property gets the right capital appreciation. Gets the right lease rates and yields and everything else.' But how can you honestly say that if you're not giving them sustainable development? How can you be assured that your property will last for the next 20, 30, 40, 50 years? The only way you can do that is by providing sustainable development."

It's that approach to development and Arthaland's continued success that also lends itself to growth. When looking for people to join Arthaland, Chan says finding someone who fits the culture is crucial. Not only is Arthaland looking at previous experience or where an individual went to school, but also at a person's approach to sustainability and what they can bring to future Arthaland projects.

"Do you believe in [sustainability], or is it just something that you would like to market?" Chan says. "If it's marketing, it is something everyone can do. But if you really believe in it, even if you do things at home that relate toward sustainability, then that's something that we really, I would say, embody and take into consideration when we hire people."

Bolstered by the company's collective culture, Arthaland plans to grow five times in the next five years. That means building on an already impressive property portfolio, and while it's an ambitious approach, particularly in the COVID-19 era, living and working through the pandemic has actually jump-started Arthaland's efforts.

More people than ever are working from home, looking to improve where they spend most of their time. Suddenly, they've realized that space might not be as efficient as it could be, and, for Arthaland, that's a call to action.

"Growing five times, you need to hire people, right?" Chan says. "So, we're planning to grow, including our workforce. We're also very active in the international industry when it comes to sustainability. We've done several talks and seminars about sustainability. I've gone to Atlanta, New York, and talked about sustainability as well. And efficiency increases when you're living or working in sustainable development. And that's a study shown by the World Green Building Council."

Much like Chan was when he first joined Arthaland, people's interest and enthusiasm regarding sustainability and green living grows every year. Whereas concerns over electricity usage or air quality were never given more than a passing thought in previous real-estate transactions, now those questions are as important as size, location, and cost.

"I think it's something that is here to stay, and people are now more aware," Chan says. "With that evolving, how people purchase real estate, that goes hand in hand with how Arthaland does things." 

Arthaland has done plenty, especially when it comes to making sustainable living simple for their clients. Sustainability tours are now the standard in Arthaland's buildings, as are on-site organic farms that allow residents to buy produce at cost.

"Everything is organic, and all our projects have that," Chan says. "And aside from that, we give them a tour and teach them [about sustainable practices] in their own homes."

When the pandemic began, Arthaland also hosted webinars to make spending so much time at home a bit more bearable. From gardening within the confines of an apartment to speaking with health and wellness professionals and simple yoga and Pilates instructions, it was all done with sustainability in mind.

PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS

Doing business with a company on the other side of the world is always a challenge. Still, in the last few months, Arthaland and Delta Media Group® have turned communication and productivity into an art form. Since initially meeting during a conference days before lockdown began in Las Vegas last March, the partnership finds a way to work no matter what time it is. 

Prior to that March meeting, Arthaland was considering several tech vendors, but it only took a few presentations for Delta to prove its merit. Impressed by Delta's ease of use and efficiency, Arthaland quickly implemented brand-new programs and now continues to meet regularly with DMG.

"If I ask, [Delta Senior Key Accounts Consultant/Sales Manager Franklin Stoffer] and say, 'Okay, can you help us out because we don't feel that we're using Delta, [in the best way] that it can? We're not maximizing the use,'" Chan says, "They help us out. And they send us videos from time to time, tips, and tricks on how to use Delta better. I think that one is very helpful. Sometimes, I need [President Noel England], and she responds instantly. I message her at any time of the day. She responds immediately and gives me feedback."

As of this writing, Arthaland has about 120 Delta users with current usage at more than 95%, and while those aren't the biggest number in DMG's base, they've still received the sort of personalized attention that makes Delta unique. The one-on-one work has also led Arthaland to plan to grow their users to 350 in the next three to four months.

"I think as we grow, Delta will continue to be part of it," Chan says. "And we've requested some new system changes, which we feel would benefit the teams. And you know what? They're doing it. Just because they felt that it would benefit all Delta users, they proceeded with implementing it."

SOWING THE SEEDS OF THE FUTURE

Sustainability is here to stay — as are Arthurland's efforts, and in the next few years, the company plans not only to grow but to make sustainable living the norm. Arthaland hopes to bring sustainable instruction to area schools, possibly speaking a few hours to, as Chan explains, "get them aware of what sustainability is." And, after being postponed by COVID-19, a seminar project in Cebu, known as the Queen City of the Philippines, to help government engineers and architects learn how to incorporate sustainability into the master plan of the city, is also expected to get back on track.

Ultimately, Arthaland simply wants to leave the world better than they found it. Green is not only good; it's the future, and Arthaland is ready to lead the way going forward.

"Health and wellness are very important," Chan says, "and at the end of the day, it is all our responsibility to contribute a small part in making it successful. To make sustainability a part of everyone."