The Port City with Low Energy & Passive Solar Orientation

This is an office building design for the Dalian Electric Power Bureau in the port city of Dalian in northern China. It was designed by DMA Group Architects. This building will house the administrative and operational requirements of the power bureau. It is located at the edge of the Dalian CBD on reclaimed harbor side land.

The building embraces low energy initiatives in the form of a twin wall facade system to the tower structure. It insulates the building and captures air to be used in the building’s HVAC system. The captured air will be used to heat the building. In summer, it will be run via a heat exchanger and used to cool the building. The passive solar orientation minimizes heat load. A narrow building depth maximizes natural light penetration.

Other green initiatives also include rainwater collection to service toilets and landscape irrigation and a green roof to the podium structure that provides thermal insulation. This building has natural ventilation that will be available with openable windows to most areas. The low rise podium structure and entrance forecourt creates a welcoming public space. Besides that, the office tower set back to minimize overshadowing.