Eco Factor: Zero energy building to be powered by solar and wind energy.
Grontmij and Soeters Van Eldonk Architects have won an international design competition and taken up the responsibility to develop the Wuhan New Energy Center in Wuhan China. The development is a research institute in the field of new energy sources and sustainability.
When complete, the flower-shaped building, dubbed the Wuhan Energy Flower, will be the first building in the world to receive the BREEM outstanding accreditation. Construction will begin in November this year. The Calla lily inspired building will have zero carbon emissions and aims for a zero energy status as well. The building will be about 140m tall and will be surrounded by laboratories in the form of leaves.
The roof of the flower consists mainly of solar panels to generate renewable electricity. Rainwater is also collected in the bowl and used to supply water to the building. The characteristic pistil consists of vertical axis wind turbines that will also collect renewable energy.
The rim of the bowl is the sunroof that has been designed to heat and cool the building. The building is characterized by the principle of natural ventilation, with the central solar chimney designed to maximize natural air ventilation.
