China’s green skyscraper: The Pearl River Tower
China tries to alter its image of being the major polluter on the planet. Eco-architecture is part of that effort. Combined with China’s fondness for mammoth projects, a new flagship project is born: The Pearl River Tower - which will probably be one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the world. Wind turbines and solar collectors should generate as much energy as the 303-meter-tall, 71-story tower will consume, maybe even more. Thus, Guangzhou’s new highlight is to become China’s first zero-energy skyscraper. Next to generating electricity, the building’s air conditioning and ventilation systems will be designed to conserve energy. Natural light should reduce the need for artificial illumination. The tower also features rainwater collectors. The wind turbines will be placed in openings where the wind is guided through by the building’s sculptural form which also helps to reduce the wind load on the tower. The two openings divide the building into three sections. Light blue glass will cover the entire front.
Despite the ambitious plan and the push towards sustainability, experts doubt that the tower could become the world’s leading skyscraper in terms of energy conservation and efficiency. Air pollution will reduce the energy output of the solar panels and the sub-tropical climate of the region requires a lot of cooling. Nevertheless, this project is of high importance for China. The Pearl River Tower shows that China is aware of the benefits of more efficient energy use and the necessity to embrace renewable energies. America and China both are heavily dependent on oil imports. China in particular suffers from out-of-hand pollution. Smart energy technologies are the solution to both problems. Increased energy efficiency translates into higher economic productivity and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
The Chicago-based architectural and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill designed the building and will observe the construction of the skyscraper which is due for completion by fall 2009. The main occupant of the building will be Guangdong Tobacco, but many other tenants are expected to line up for getting into this leading commercial and manufacturing region at the Pearl River Delta.
http://chinagreenbuildings.blogspot.com/2008/11/peal-river-tower.html
UPDATE: the entire project was delayed for at least two years because the former Shanghai Communist Party Chief, who was involved in the Dongtan project, was sentenced to jail for bribery
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:02 PM
[...] of Masdar City, an entire eco-friendly city in the United Arab Emirates. Another example is the Pearl River Tower in Shenzhen, the eco-friendly headquarters of Bank of America in Manhattan as well as the a zero-energy [...]
May 12th, 2010 at 7:49 PM
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June 13th, 2010 at 8:33 PM
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