The Y.S Sun Green Building Research Center at National Kung University in Taiwan has recently been awarded top honors by the USGBC, in addition to receiving the Taiwan Ecology, Waste Reduction and Health Diamond Certification from the Ministry of Interior. The three-story 4800 square meter building utilizes 13 different sustainable building techniques in order to achieve a 65% energy savings and a 50% water savings over typical office buildings.
The various methods of implementation responsible for this achievement range from five natural ventilation energy saving methods, two equipment reduction methods, to the installation of energy saving equipment along with employing renewable energy technologies. A natural buoyancy ventilation technology employed in the design of a 300 person hall ensures summer occupants stay cool and winter occupants stay warm without the assistance of an HVAC system. Other notable innovations include the serpentine jade cement used in the hall that is claimed to clean and purify the air.
References: www.robaid.com, www.archrecord.com Photographs: www.robaid.com
