CSET, Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies, Ningbo, China.

Designed by MC A on Nottingham University's campus in Ningbo, China.

The CSET Building has won the prestigious MIPIM Green Building Award. MIPIM is the world’s premier real estate summit that takes place in Cannes each year. Award winners were announced at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on March 12^th 2009.

 

The Project

Ningbo, China, 2006 - 2008. 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 accommodates 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. It's design is inspired by Chinese lanterns and traditional wooden screens.

The façade folds dramatically to create a dynamic shape. The building is entirely clad with a double skin of glass with screen printed patterns evoking historical buildings of the area. The appearance of the building changes 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.

In fact, the building is designed so that it's eletrical energy needs for cooling are only 7-8 kWhel /m2 year.

Photos by Daniele Domenicali.