Abstract
China is constructing new commercial buildings at an enormous rate—roughly 2 billion square meters per year, with considerable interest and activity in green design and construction. We review the context of commercial building design and construction in China, and look at a specific project as an example of a high performance, sustainable design, the Shenzhen Institute of Building Research (IBR). The IBR building incorporates over 40 sustainable technologies and strategies, including daylighting, natural ventilation, gray-water recycling, solar-energy generation, and highly efficient Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. We present measured data on the performance of the building, including detailed analysis by energy end use, water use, and occupant comfort and satisfaction. Total building energy consumption in 2011 was 1151 MWh, with an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 63 kWh/m2 (20 kBtu/ft2), which is 61% of the mean EUI value of 103 kWh/m2 (33 kBtu/ft2) for similar buildings in the region. We also comment on the unique design process, which incorporated passive strategies throughout the building, and has led to high occupant satisfaction with the natural ventilation, daylighting, and green patio work areas. Lastly we present thoughts on how the design philosophy of the IBR building can be a guide for low-energy design in different climate regions throughout China and elsewhere.
Highlights
In November 2012, at the 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, China’s President HuJintao described building a “beautiful China as the construction of ecological civilization” [1]
How does the Institute of Building Research (IBR) building compare to other buildings in China and the U.S in energy use? And how does the IBR compare with other green buildings? We have a few benchmarks for comparison
We started this investigation with a profound pessimism that the current growth in the building industry in China would not address, but rather exacerbate, the daunting environmental challenges faced by the country, and by extension, the world today
Summary
In November 2012, at the 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, China’s President Hu. Jintao described building a “beautiful China as the construction of ecological civilization” [1]. Reality replaced imagery as a thick and severe smog, blanketing almost all of China’s east coast. In smog-choked Beijing, “peak readings for air pollution during the Chinese New Year were 40 times the World Health Organization’s air-quality guidelines” [1]. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the urgent need to address China’s environmental issues and green the economy. Is. China ready and able to do so? Are encouraged by the nascent green building movement that is developing in China today China ready and able to do so? We think so, and are encouraged by the nascent green building movement that is developing in China today
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