With its ‘hard work’ culture, China has managed to build cities and buildings in timeframes never before achieved, setting the foundations for a truly successful industry.
Now, the country has taken that same dedication and applied it to green building initiatives after making a firm commitment to carbon cutting goals. Since China’s stringent carbon emissions reduction targets were released, the Chinese industry has come forth with a plethora of proposals and completed projects that boast high green credentials.
Haitbang Bay International Shopping Center
If initial details of the country’s next major project hold true, this streak of green ambition is set to continue.
The Haitbang Bay International Shopping Center, located in Sanya, Hainan Island, has been designed by French practice VOLODE ET PISTRE ARCHITECTE, who won an international competition for the tender.
The overall development is expected to come to approximately 125,000 square metres, which will make it one of China’s largest shopping centres.
Haitbang Bay International Shopping Center
The overall design concept is biomorphic, with the structural form of the building taking inspiration from the form of the Haitang Bay flower. This promises to culturally contextualise the building while setting an ‘organic’ tone, according to the designers.
In a move that is becoming increasingly commonplace in China, the two separate buildings that make up the development will be cased in an undulating glass shell. The façade will be double-skinned and wrapped over an aluminum-paneled frame. This specific shell will not only create a highly modern aesthetic, natural lighting will also be optimised. This focus on natural light will be further complemented by the inclusion of an interior atrium.
The façade and specifically-glazed roof protect the interior space from excessive solar gain, allowing for a reduction in the building’s reliance on on-grid energy for cooling and lighting.
Haitbang Bay International Shopping Center Interiors
The centre’s inner atrium will also offer to improve natural ventilation throughout the space.
In order to avoid unnecessary greenwash, it will be necessary to see how the centre performs before its true green building credentials can be justified. As it stands though, this major development stands as a visually stunning proposal that could unlock masses of green potential if delivered with environmental responsibility in mind.
