Asia's green megaprojects

Timon Singh

Asia: home of the massive infrastructure project and apparently, making the world a better place...

Over the last few months, the continent has green-lit (no pun intended) a host of environmentally friendly projects designed to make the best of the latest renewable energies. Here are some that are either underway, planned or unfortunately have been cancelled, that caught our eye.

The Hangzhou Sports Park

First there was the Bird's Nest, but China has decided to go more floral in the design for their latest mega-stadium. The Hangzhou Sports Park is currently under construction in Hangzhou and, when finished, will be the largest sports park in China.

The stadium, which was designed by NBBJ in collaboration with CCDI, was apparently inspired by the local flora found on the nearby banks of Hangzhou's West Lake. It is one of several megaprojects in Hangzhou, where construction has tripled the city's size in the past decade. As such, a park was decided upon to give the population a place to relax and take part in leisure activities.

The park is due to be finished in 2013 and will be a massive 400,000 square meters. The park will also include open spaces, walking trails, a tennis facility, retail space, community playing fields and an extreme sports area. According to NBBJ, the sports park is seen as "an opportunity for creating picturesque and sustainable public spaces that not very common in the constructed urbanism of China."

"This is a transformational project that redefines sustainable design excellence in sports facilities throughout Asia. It changes the game, and I applaud the City of Hangzhou for taking this important step," said Robert Mankin AIA, LEED AP, principal and sports practice director at NBBJ.

While the environmental benefits of such a green area are clear, it is not yet known how sustainable the construction process will be. However, if the LEED AP is on board, China must be utilising some forms of renewable building materials.

Beijing's Dawangjing District

Before the Beijing Olympics, there was a lot of press about how the city officials were trying hard to cut down their emissions in order not to blanket the area with high levels of smog. While many thought this would only last for the duration of the games and once they were over, China would return to its highly-industrial, carbon-emitting ways however the Asian superpower has proven itself over again as a supporter of green energy.

With its high solar panel production and geothermal research, China is rapidly becoming one of the largest producers of renewable energy in the world and this looks set to increase with news that the country is to build a new urban centre in Beijing's Dawangjing District that will feature an integrated heating and cooling solution designed to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.

This 'green district', designed by the Chicago and China offices of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), will be an urban model featuring integrated solutions for energy, water conservation and transit systems.

It will all be powered by a sustainable "engine" in the form of a Central Park that utilizes a geothermal heat-exchange system to help passively heat and cool all of the district's buildings.

Seoul's 131 acre 'Green Roof'

There is green roofing and then there is green roofing. However a 131 acre rooftop in Seoul designed to be sprawling public garden could become a reality in a bid to cut traffic congestion and disperse unfortunate odors created by the center's poor layout.

Samoo Architects & Engineers‘ have therefore designed the commerical centre of the city... and given it a green roof, complete with energy-saving features. Three market pavilions feature "ecotubes" that penetrate through the market's stories to channel daylight and ventilation to the lower levels. Up top, the green roof features promenades and a large public park that mitigates rainwater runoff, insulates the interior spaces, and infuses Seoul's city center with a breath of fresh air.

Genius eh? Just don't play frisbee near the edge.

Shanghai's International Terminal

In preparation for the Shanghai 2010 World Expo, an International Cruise Terminal was designed to not only welcome ships, but to welcome its guests with a visitor centre, office space, courtyards,and a green corridor along the Huangpu River.

Designed by Arup Engineering, the terminal has an energy efficient design which includes an innovative river water cooling system, natural ventilation and photovoltaic cladding.

The terminal is very near completion, with only the the Shanghai Chandeliers, a 40 meter tall glass clad portal, the centerpiece of the Cruise Terminal, to be finished.

The Cruise Terminal will be able to accommodate three large cruise ships and 1.5 million passengers per year. Most of the terminal facilities are placed underground to allow for more open space on the ground level as well as six office pavilions. The centre also includes natural day lighting as well as ventilation routed through central atria with louvered skylights. A double skinned glass facade provides a barrier for the buildings, providing space for air to circulate in the summer to keep the buildings cool and then insulation in the winter.

South Korea's 'Green Energy Park'

It's always good to see power companies embrace renewable energy and South Korea's Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) are doing it in style. The company held a contest to design their new Naju, South Korea headquarters, and among the final three entries, was this becon of sustainable design.

Looking like an eco-friendly Bond villain lair and designed by H Associates, the new headquarters would have boasted sloping green roofs, integrated solar power, a wind field, geothermal power, water reclamation and a whole host of other green features. However it is the 29-story tower, that emerges from the center of the park, which is a pinnacle of green design.

The exterior of the building is specially designed to control temperatures while using as much natural day lighting as possible. However, despite the fantastic vision, KEPCO awarded the design third place. Here is hoping another company sees the potential.

With all this innovation, it makes one wonder if Asia has become the new Middle East in terms of futuristic design.

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