Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies by Mario Cucinella Architects

Lantern-inspired Sustainable Research Building is China's first zero carbon university building.

Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies
Design Team: Mario Cucinella Architects
Location: Ningbo, China
Cost: € 3,000,000
When to visit: 2008
Awards: 2009 MIPIM Green Building Award

Nottingham University has opened a new campus in Ningbo in the heart of the Zhijiang district. The Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (CSET) will focus on the diffusion of sustainable technologies such as solar power, photovoltaic energy, wind power and so forth. The 1,300m2 building will accommodate a visitors centre, research laboratories and classrooms for masters courses. The pavilion stands in a large meadow alongside a stream that runs through the campus.

Inspired in its design by Chinese lantern and traditional wooden screens, the building is conceived as a sustainable beacon whose 22 m high twisting tower will be visible from all around the campus, creating many different facades diversifying its appearance from day to night. The design employs various environmental strategies. A large rooftop opening brings natural light to all floors of the building simultaneously creating a flue effect to allow efficient natural ventilation and geothermal energy is used to cool and heat the floor slabs.

The building has been designed to be carefully insulated and protected from winter cold winds and strong direct summer solar radiations. The external envelope of the building plays a key role in controlling the environmental strategies: the structure is completely sealed on the north side and partly open on the other three sides in order to provide the sufficient penetration of daylight. The system of windows optimises the influx of sunlight and minimises the need for artificial illumination. Four tilted triangular shaped skylights contribute to provide a sufficient level of natural light into the semi-basement floor areas and are designed with an orientation to the north, avoiding the direct solar radiation. A series of openings, distributed on the sides of the building in order to guarantee a cross ventilation system, are positioned in the concrete wall.