Non-profit organisation for sustainability, Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), and property developer Swire Properties have announced the winners of the Advancing Net-Zero (ANZ) ideas competition.
The competition aims to drive Hong Kong’s building sector towards sustainability and help support the government’s target of becoming carbon neutral by 2020.
Experts around the globe were invited to contribute innovative design ideas and practical solutions in two categories: Future Buildings and Existing Buildings, under three main themes – Zero carbon and ultra energy efficiency embodied carbon, and health and sustainability.
“Hong Kong is a signature model for a subtropical, high-rise and high-density urban context which is always a challenge for designers and architects when it comes to decarbonisation,” said Prof Ada Fung, chairperson, ANZ.
The organisation selected three winners out of 22 entries from 58 organisations and companies.
Future building category
Chosen for seamless carbon-positive experience for users, integrated with innovation and technology.
The Treehouse
Designed by Ronald Lu & Partners, the building takes advantage of green landscaping and the placement of various plants. In addition, it features a “self-shading” facade for the upper storeys and a rooftop solar panel to help generate renewable energy.
To further reduce energy consumption, the solar panels hang with daily light reflectors and a wind capture system to cool air from 200 meters above the ground. A solar chimney was also integrated to promote natural lighting and ventilation for the structure’s interior.
Taikoo Green Ribbon
Designed by Ove Arup & Partners, the building design feature a 4250sqm of green open space, a landscaped jogging path, and a natural ventilation system for the offices to help lower energy consumption while improving the people’s comfort and wellbeing.
The building also incorporates green elements such as wildlife attracting flowers and wind-resistant plants.
Existing building category
Selected for utilising waste to generate renewable energy for operation
The Living Lab
Ove Arup & Partners bagged another win with “The Living Lab”, a building that turns waste into renewable energy.
Using a “tri-digestion” process, the building’s facade upcycles algae, together with food waste and black water to generate electricity, as well as hot water for the office’s daily operations.
According to the designers, their approach is to reduce energy demand while increasing on-site energy sources to achieve net-zero.
“We have seen outstanding insights and ideas from the applications to accelerate green building practice for Hong Kong as a high-density city as well as for the rest of the globe in eco-construction, said Cheung Hau-wai, chairman, Hong Kong Green Building Council. “Together, we can create a low carbon and eco-friendly future for our planet.”
To help encourage other companies to achieve net-zero emissions, all solutions from the winners will be available for the public via exhibits, an e-book and HKGBC’s official website.
