BIG, in collaboration with arup and transsolar, was awarded first-prize in an international
competition to design shenzhen international energy mansion, the regional headquarters
for the shenzhen energy company.


shenzhen international energy mansion by BIG architects

the purpose of the international design competition was to find a sustainable and efficient
solution for the shenzhen energy company office headquarters. located in the centre
of shenzhen, the 96,000 square meter project will be integrated with the surrounding
environment and designed to withstand the tropical climate of the city.
 
the headquarters which rise 200 meters above ground will be a landmark for the city. 
the façade was conceived as a folded skin that shades the office complex from direct
sunlight and integrates solar thermal panels, reducing the overall energy consumption
of the building.
 

shenzhen international energy mansion - view from highway

'we propose to make the shenzhen energy mansion the first specimen of a new species
of office buildings that exploits the buildings interface with the external elements - sun,
daylight, humidity, wind – as a source to create maximum comfort and quality inside.
the shenzhen energy mansion will appear as a subtle mutation of the classic skyscraper
– a natural evolution rather than a desperate revolution.' bjarke ingels, founding partner, BIG.
 

shenzhen international energy mansion


shenzhen international energy mansion

the traditional glass façade has little insulation leaving the offices overheated by direct
sunlight. this results in excessive energy consumption for air conditioning and the need
for a heavy glass coating that makes the view seem permanently dull and grey.
 
by folding the façade in an origami like shape they achieved a structure with closed
and open parts. the closed parts provide a highly-insulated façade, while blocking
the direct sunlight. on the outside the closed parts are fitted with solar thermal heat panels
that power the air conditioning and provide dehumidification for the working spaces.
 


shenzhen international energy mansion - facade


shenzhen international energy mansion - facade


the folded wall provides a free view through clear glass in one direction creating
a condition with plenty of diffused daylight by reflecting the direct sunlight between
the interior panels. even with direct sun from east or west, the majority of the solar
rays reflect off the glass, due to the flat angle of the window. the reflected rays increase
the efficiency of solar thermal energy panels. the combination of minimal passive solar
heating and active solar panels reduce the energy consumption by more than 60%.


shenzhen international energy mansion - section view


shenzhen international energy mansion - section view


shenzhen international energy mansion - floor plan



shenzhen international energy mansion - floor plan

shenzhen international energy mansion credit list:
architect: BIG
client: shenzhen energy company
collaborators: arup, transsolar
size: 96.000 m2
location: shenzhen, china
status: 1st prize
 
partner-in-charge: bjarke ingels
project leader: andreas klok pedersen
team: cat huang, alex cozma, fan zhang, kuba snopek, flavien menu, stanley lung