ART CENTRE BOASTS LOW IMPACT GREEN ROOF
06 Apr 2016
A new art centre in China boasts minimal environmental impact and a low profile that helps it to blend seamlessly into the city’s skyline.
The environmental footprint of the green-roofed Lotus Square Art Center in China is as low as its visual impact on the surrounding landscape. Starting with the goal of ecological design and low energy consumption, architecture firm Raynon Chui Design took inspiration from sea life to design a building that runs on renewable energy sources and looks good in the process.
The building is located at the North East corner of Hengqin Island in Zhuhai, China, within close proximity of the Shizimen Commercial District. Its undulating form is inspired by the outline of a fish and allows natural light to reach the interior, as well as generating multiple sight-lines across different floors. Large skylights funnel additional natural light into the glass-encased space.
New construction technologies and techniques were used throughout the structure and incorporate several sustainable mechanisms. Rainwater is collected on the roof surface and is used for irrigation of the surrounding landscape. Low-E glass capable of reflecting heat reduces the need for artificial lighting, while the insulation from the soil reduces the heat island effect and maintains stable indoor temperatures.