SM Prime: Holistic Retail Architecture for Climate and Community

As conversations around climate action intensify, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. believes that climate-smart solutions should translate into practical, everyday benefits for business and communities.

Starting from LED retrofits as an early energy-efficiency initiative in the 90s, to solar-powered outdoor parasols and revitalized open-space concepts, for SM Supermalls, it’s a new era for sustainable retail architecture.

A sky sanctuary like no other. The entire MOA Sky in SM Mall of Asia runs on solar power. Shading the walkways on the roof deck are solar panels that power the grounds of what can be considered a modern marvel in any retail architecture, with an amphitheater and a FIFA-grade football pitch.

From systems design to systems impact

Creating an environment that supports businesses, local communities, and the social-cultural events of a neighborhood has been part of elevating the Filipino shopping experience for SM Supermalls.  

SM City Puerto Princesa makes use of design elements as shading devices to reduce energy for air conditioning cooling requirements, without sacrificing natural light.  

Behind the scenes, its holistic building approach – from water, waste, and energy efficiency systems, to mall designs that make spaces work harder for people – allows daily operations to flow smoothly, making spaces more comfortable, sustainable, and future-ready.

Natural lighting and passive design strategies reduce energy consumption during the day and are combined with large atriums, high ceilings, skylights, open spaces, and sky gardens to illuminate extensive areas of the mall.

The high ceilings and bright spaces in the new SM La Union reduce energy consumption during the mall’s daytime operations, allowing mallgoers to bask in the sun while completing shopping errands. 

More than just a vehicle to favorite stores, a mall’s escalators are an enormous convenience to shoppers and can drive sales for tenant-partners. To conserve power, motion-sensor escalators have intelligent control systems that detect low passenger load. Visitors in SM Supermalls are also encouraged to get their steps in – located at strategic areas are stairs for the health-conscious population.  

A crowd drawer of the healthy kind, SM Supermalls presents a creative way to remind mallgoers they can get their steps in.

Air conditioning is a must-have in the shopping space. To minimize environmental impact, SM Prime has long invested in advanced cooling systems, which also provide substantial operational savings and reduced water usage. 

In some of the hotter areas of the metro, Big Ass Fans are also deployed to work in conjunction with the building’s air conditioning systems, enhancing cooling and increasing their effectiveness.

Setting the standard in urban renewable energy adoption, SM Supermalls also has one of the largest solar portfolios in the Philippines. Currently, 48 SM Supermalls are equipped with on-site renewable energy, reducing the need to draw power from the grid.

A future to share

Progress in climate action must translate into real benefits. For SM Prime, it is a long-term investment in public well-being and the future resilience of Filipino communities.

Across its malls, SM Prime creates quality urban life. In SM Bicutan, solar-powered parasols light up its Sky Garden, giving a view of the neighborhood and a desirable space to be with friends.

The SM Green Movement journey continues for SM Supermalls, balancing the needs of people, business, and the planet.

“We have long thought of our mall spaces as bringing communities together and creating tangible connections that last for generations. Every improvement to become energy efficient is meant to give a more sustainable and enjoyable experience,” says SM Supermalls president Steven Tan.