Here are the Top 10 Most Sustainable Buildings

From busy offices to quiet libraries, buildings play a significant part in modern day-to-day life.

However, the buildings and construction sector are responsible for 39% of energy and process-related CO₂ emissions according to the UNEP.

When done right, buildings can have a positive impact on both the communities they exist in and the environment.

Sustainability Magazine has ranked 10 of the most sustainable buildings.

10. Torre Reforma

The Torre Reforma resembles the form of an open book encased by a glass facade with a panoramic view of Chapultepec Park.

Openings in the glass provide natural airflow, boosting air conditioning efficiency and lowering energy consumption. Given Mexico’s warm climate, most buildings need strict temperature management.

The sidewalks around Torre Reforma have been widened, prioritising pedestrians and improving access. By encouraging walking instead of driving, the building also helps cut carbon emissions.

9. Bullitt Centre

Opened on Earth Day 2013, the Bullitt Centre is designed to be the greenest commercial building in the world.

In its first 10 years, the building has generated 30% more energy than it used from the solar panels on its roof, making it one of the largest net positive energy buildings in the world.

The building has no parking spaces, opting for bike racks instead, and has 26 geothermal wells that extend 120 metres into the ground to help stabilise its temperature.

8. Bank of America Tower

Designed by Cookfox and Adamson Associates, the Bank of America Tower stands as New York City’s eighth tallest building at 370 metres.

It offers 2.1 million square feet of office space and was the first commercial skyscraper in the US to achieve LEED Platinum certification.

Its energy-efficient features raised construction costs by 6.5%, but are expected to save US$3m in annual energy costs and boost productivity by US$7m each year.

7. One Central Park

One Central Park in Sydney, developed by Frasers Property and Sekisui House, is a dual high-rise mixed-use complex.

The building boasts a 5 Green Star rating and its vertical gardens, the world’s tallest at over 50 metres, include more than 35,000 plants on 23 walls.

A cantilever heliostat reflects sunlight and its recycled water system, the largest of its kind, serves 4,000 residents and 15,000 daily users.

6. The Edge

The Edge serves as offices for a number of firms including Deloitte, Salesforce and Henkel.

In 2014, it achieved the highest BREEAM rating ever for an office building.

Its ceilings feature approximately 28,000 sensors monitoring real-time CO₂, humidity, movement, temperature and lighting.

Heating and cooling are managed by an aquifer thermal energy storage system, which regulates temperature using hot and cold water stored in wells.

5. Shanghai Tower

Shanghai Tower, one of just four finished ‘megatall’ skyscrapers, rises 632 metres and houses offices for firms such as JPMorgan, Alibaba and Allianz.

Designed by Gensler, its tiered structure enhances energy efficiency and divides the building into nine zones for office and retail purposes.

The tower’s double-layered façade lessens wind pressure, enabling a 25% reduction in structural steel compared to a standard skyscraper of the same height.

4. London City Hall

Formerly called The Crystal, London’s city hall was initially constructed and launched by Siemens to host a permanent sustainable architecture exhibition.

It became the world’s first building to achieve both an ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM rating and a LEED Platinum award.

The facility features ground source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic and thermal panels, a 60,000 litre rainwater tank and carpets crafted from recycled fishing nets.

3. Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group Headquarters)

Location: Delhi NCR (Noida), India​​​​​​​
Owned by: Dharampal Satyapal Limited​​​​​​​
Floor count: 5
​​​​​​​Construction completed: 2014

The DS Group is a leading FMCG conglomerate and multi-business corporation. Its headquarters houses the Corporate Office, a dedicated R&D Centre and advanced manufacturing facilities for confectionery, flavours and fragrances and edible gold and silver embellishments.

In 2024, DSHQ achieved the prestigious LEED Platinum certification under the USGBC’s LEED v4 for Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance (O+M) programme, securing an exceptional 109 out of 110 credits.

This one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art building is a benchmark in modern architecture and sustainable design, with lush outdoor landscapes covering 51% of the total area.

The campus is powered by one of the highest percentages of green energy and is also certified as LEED Zero Carbon by the USGBC, underlining the Group’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

2. Taipei 101

Taipei 101 was the world’s first skyscraper to exceed half a kilometre in height and remains the eleventh tallest building globally.

It has received Platinum LEED certification in recognition of its energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable design.

The building uses recycled water for 20–30% of its total water requirements, which helps reduce the diversion of freshwater from sensitive ecosystems.

Additionally, Taipei 101 is equipped with double-glazed windows that block 50% of external heat.

This feature significantly lowers the energy consumption needed for air conditioning and temperature control in the hot climate.

These design elements contribute to the building’s overall sustainability and reduced environmental impact.

1. Olympic House

Developed by Danish architecture firm 3XN, Olympic House in Switzerland became home to the International Olympic Committee in 2019.

The building incorporates rigorous criteria in energy and water efficiency, while optimising the health and wellbeing of its users

“When we set out on this project to construct a new home, we wanted it to be more than just another office building,” says Thomas Bach, IOC President.

“We wanted Olympic House to incorporate the elements of sustainability, credibility and youth – the same three pillars of Olympic Agenda 2020.

“Olympic House takes sustainability to the next level. The building has been constructed according to the highest sustainability standards in every way.”

Mahesh Ramanujam, US Green Building Council President, said: “LEED buildings are about leadership, but when you try to attempt platinum you are going for extraordinary leadership, you are trying to define what’s possible.”