Designed by Dutch company Grontmij in collaboration with Soeters Van Eldonk architects, the building will be the first in the world to receive the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) outstanding accreditation, which is a voluntary measurement rating for green buildings established in the UK.
The building will house the energy center of Wuhan. The Calla Lily flower is the inspiration behind the design. The building will feature zero carbon emissions and has zero energy ambitions. The main office building will be approximately 140 meters tall and will be surrounded by laboratories in the form of leaves.
The sustainable building is designed in such a way that it will provide its own shade in the hot summer in China. The roof of the flower consists of solar panels for generating energy. Rainwater is collected in the bowl and used for water supply in the building. The characteristic pistil consists of vertical wind turbines to generate wind energy while the edge of the bowl forms a sunroof designed for heating and cooling of the building. The building is the principle of natural ventilation. The central solar chimney of more than 120m in height is designed for natural air ventilation into the offices.
Wuhan Energy Flower is expected to become a major center for research and development into new energy technologies as the public research platform of Wuhan University. The world’s most sustainable building combines the concept of new energy application; advanced technology with energy saving; low carbon; and comfortable, intelligent, efficient, and unique artistic design.
Construction of the building is expected to begin in November 2010.
