A Sustainable Design
February 13, 2009
By Richard Mc Cusker
This modern, sustainable structure in Beijing, China, houses the CR Land Guanganmen Green Technology Showroom. Created by Vector Architects, the 500m2 project is a temporary showcase for sustainable residential design, wrapped in an eco-friendly envelope of its own. The floating green-roofed structure is situated in the central lawn of a residential project by the client, CR Land.
The design concept formed from developing the concept of ‘temporary’, from a meaningful perspective, to design a floating architectural structure, which could be built, demolished, and recycled in an easy way with minimum disruption to the planned site. This concept then evolved into 2 key components; the internal structure and the external envelope; with a strong sustainable focus.
Vector Architects used steel for the main structural system of the building, thus allowing a number of sustainable features. The steel members can be reused after the building is eventually taken down. The fabrication of the steel members occurred simultaneously with the site excavation thus minimizing the construction schedule. Finally, the building is elevated, reducing the excavation and foundation work, which allows for easy demolition and site recovery after use.
The building envelope involved the application of a vertical grass panel system and a green roof. These systems reduced heat loss and gain, enhancing thermal efficiency. The grass panels also reduce storm water run-off. Although the central lawn was taken away to make room for this building, effectively the original planting area was tripled by using grass panels on the roof and facades.
The strong geometry and the dense green foliage of this structure certainly compliment each other.
Set for deconstruction in 2011, the steel frames will be salvaged for future projects and the grass panels will be moved to a permanent home on an adjacent fence at the residents compound. And while this modern model will be dismantled, my guess is that long after it’s gone the conservational principle behind it will remain – a visually eye-catching, easy-to-dismantle, recyclable, environmentally low-impact design.
http://www.world-architects.com
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