DESIGN NAME: Next Tower
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Net Zero Building
INSPIRATION: Through our design concept Tree, a vertical green lung in the urban jungle, we aim to not only advance net zero but also redefine the future of the workplace to create the next generation office tower, an attractive and living landmark in Hong Kong.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Next Tower uses a future-proof design to advance net zero in the high-rise, high density urban context of Hong Kong. The building stimulates our five senses through an enjoyable work experience that includes opportunities for physical exercise everywhere and atriums wrapping around it. Indoor air conditioned office spaces and stuffy board rooms are transformed into open shared office spaces with landscaped meeting hubs including amenities.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The sustainable approach is hierarchical and helps to manage resource. They are to minimise energy demand through passive measures, reduce conditioned spaces wherever possible, share and reuse energy and resources, provide efficient supply and distribution of energy, supply remaining demand through renewable sources, design system redundancy and reliability for critical areas and finally to futureproof building design.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in April 2021 in Hong Kong
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Architecture, Building and Structure Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Key features include minimized conditioned space throughout the building by integrating outdoor spaces at the perimeter on every floor and large communal spaces every 8 floors so everyone can benefit from connection with outdoor landscaped environments. This greatly reduces energy consumption and associated GHG emissions.
A protective outer layer on the external perimeter spaces acts as a buffer space while providing shading and protection to the conditioned interior spaces and stop unwanted solar gains entering the internal spaces. This helps keep the internal spaces cooler, enabling the use of natural ventilation for longer periods thereby reducing cooling energy needed. If required tighter environmental control can be located towards the center of the floor plates.
The building has been designed with innovative low energy indoor environmental control designs including radiant cooling, a mixed mode ventilation with large volume ceiling fans at semi-enclosed areas and fresh air intake at vegetated facades together with abundant supply of filtered fresh air for most time of the year.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: 190m with 48 Floors and 100,000 m2 of the total area.
TAGS: net zero, tower, sustainable, building
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Next Tower also increases the green ratio, and incorporates several sustainable development goals, namely sustainability, health, and well-being. Next Tower is eco-friendly using nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation that includes several features which make it more smart as well as sustainable while advancing towards net zero. The landscaped multi level open spaces provide natural ventilation ensuring air exchange and purification; the rooftop wetlands with an eco pond for rainwater harvesting is combined with seawater to flush toilets in order to reduce energy consumption.
CHALLENGE: The Next Tower typical floors are open ceiling with no ceiling tiles reducing building material usage. The outdoor spaces are in the form of landscaped balconies, sky gardens and a wetland roof garden in addition to the landscaped podium garden. The large landscaped balconies on every floor for meetings and informal exchanges will lead to innovation, creativity and increased productivity. The Next Tower is also permeable at ground level offering easy access for people from the adjacent developments and connects to the harbourfront from the podium level as well. People can enjoy the harbour views while walking along the external stairway to access the sky gardens and wetland roof garden. This encourages walking and further reduces the reliance on elevators and escalators.
ADDED DATE: 2022-04-01 05:33:25
TEAM MEMBERS (20) : Kenneth Hau, Witten Hau, Vicky Chan, Andy Cheung, Crystal Hu, Sujata S. Govada, Huang Dandan, Subhiksha Bhoovarahan, Grace Kwok, Frank Cheung, Leo Li, Helia Kan, Jonny Perks , Justin Wong , Mica Micillo, Malay Dave , Yi Ding, Paul Chan, Yoyo Chong and Jo Perks
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
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Video #1: Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Copyrights belong to Avoid Obvious Architects, 2021
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