ZCB Zero Carbon Building / Ronald Lu and Partners

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Text description provided by the architects. ZCB is the first zero carbon building in Hong Kong. Energy hierarchy with its priority on energy demand control is adopted. Passive design with climate-responsive built form, orientation, layout and envelope enhance natural ventilation, daylighting and solar shading. The spacious entrance hallway is orientated and fully opened to the prevailing summer breeze, and provides a comfortable setting for gathering and temporary exhibition without the use of air-conditioning. An ultra-low OTTV of 11 W/m2 is achieved mainly due to optimized window-to-wall ratio, deep overhang over the south facade, external shading fins, minimized east and west facades / windows, high performance glazing system, and shaded and insulated roof. These passive design measures are expected to reduce energy consumption by 20% as compared to the current building industry benchmark. The use of highly energy-efficient active systems like high-volume-low-speed fans, high temperature cooling system, coupling with smart control can further reduce the potential energy demand by 25%. The ZCB targets “Energy Plus” which goes beyond conventional scope of carbon neutrality by producing more energy than its own needs over an annual basis, to offset the embodied carbon of its construction process and major structural materials. On-site renewable energy generation by bio-diesel tri-generation and state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) technologies is adopted.