University Building in Beijing

Set on the campus of Tsinghua University in Beijing, the Sino-Italian Ecological and Energy-Efficient Building is a collaborative project conceived to demonstrate the potential of energy-efficient construction and to provide a platform for long-term bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy and the environment.

The building is largely closed on its north face, but opens out to the south with two stepped-down wings that enclose a sunlit courtyard. The terraces and office facades are shaded by photovoltaic elements that supply up to 20 kW of energy from 190 solar modules. The remaining facades are in a double-skin form of construction. On the east and west faces, sunscreening is provided by horizontally printed glass panels hung on the outside and by horizontal shading elements in the intermediate space and on the inside, as well as by internal blinds. Set in front of the three facades overlooking the courtyard are horizontal, partly pivoting glass louvres that control the degree of insolation and daylighting. The indoor climate is regulated by a cooled or heated air intake at floor level together with radiant soffit panels. The energy supply is provided by gas-powered generators, the waste heat from which is used for the air conditioning and to heat water. A central control system for the building – with occupancy and CO2 sensors – regulates indoor temperatures and the air-change rate.
Architects:
Mario Cucinella Architects, Bologna
Assistants:
Elizabeth Francis, David Hirsch, Giulio Altieri
Structural engineers:
Favero & Milan Ingegneria, Mirano/Peking
China Architecture Design & Research Group, Peking