Dalian Software Hub, Master Plan Community, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, PRC

Architect: SOM        
Client: Shui On Land

The project site of approximately 632 hectares (1,560 acres) is located between the existing central city area of Dalian and the satellite centre of Lushunkou. The site comprises of six separate parcels, sites A to F, organised east to west along a crescent shaped valley, between the existing central city of Dalian and the satellite centre of Lushunkou. The total G.F. A. is 4.06 million m2.  The sites are cradled by a combination of sea front, ridgeline and natural foothills.

Site A, Hekou Bay, fronts the Bohai Bay/Yellow Sea on the eastern end of the valley  has the greatest development density including a commercial services and urban amenity area. Site B, located in four secondary valleys, will be developed for some additional software industry use. Sites C and D, Huangnichuan, located in the centre of the valley, is where the bulk of the software industries, housing and other supporting uses will be located. Site E, Nanhaitou is set at the mouth of an estuary on the western end of the valley and will be predominantly a higher density residential area with retail.  Site F is located on a sea bluff and is envisaged to accommodate resort development.

  • The sustainable objectives are to:
    • Create a distinctive working environment for local and multinational high-tech companies;
    • Draw high-tech and cutting edge skills from all over the world; and
    • Develop a set of sustainable development principles and strategies, affordable recommendations and specific and general guidelines for applications to districts, neighbourhoods.
    • Base the design on LEEDTM framework
    • To achieve LEEDTM Platinum

Deep Water Bay Drive

Client: Nan Fung

Design Architect: Foster + Partners

CO2nnsulting was commissioned to develop sustainable design concepts.  The site of 10,249m2 shall include residential towers with a maximum G.F.A. of 23,052m2.  The project aims to exceed BEAM Plus and attain international green standard and recognition.  The scope includes studies on site-wide sustainable concepts and strategies derived from the site constraints and opportunities.  These studies of sustainable design concepts are integrated to the masterplan, as well as the individual buildings and landscape.

Whilst at Battle McCarthy Engineers

Sustainable Masterplan Development, Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York, U.S.A

Landscape Architect: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc., New York

Brooklyn Bridge Park consists of 67 acres and stretches some 1.3 miles along the East River Water Front. It features upland parks, waterfront parks, recreation facilities, waterfront esplanades, water‘s edge structures, public art, pavilions, plazas, water features and a marina.

Site-wide sustainable strategies are employed to reduce carbon footprints of the on-site buildings and landscape lighting.  Wind turbines are integrated to landscape to provide buffer to the cold winter winds whilst harnessing its energy.

Sustainable Design, Sincere Insurance Building

Al-Sabah Military College, Safat, Kuwait

Architect: SOM

Located in the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is a low lying desert country, with land borders with Saudi Arabia, Iraq and a coastline on the Arabian Gulf.  The Summer period is hot, and is mostly dry, except for the month of August when it is hot and humid. The hot conditions are further exasperated by hot dusty winds from the northwest deserts. Although the coastal temperatures are somewhat milder, the perceived discomfort grows with the higher level of humidity. The use of induced air movement is encouraged to reduce the feeling of “stickiness”.

The objectives are to:

  • Minimise the negative impact of sandstorms;
  • Reduce the quantity and impact of blown dust within the compound;
  • Maximise shelter during sandstorms;
  • Optimise solar shading to buildings;
  • Optimise orientation to maximise natural ventilation with seasonal demand;
  • Optimise solar shading to external spaces;
  • Allow permeability of fresh sea breezes from the east when available;
  • Reduce the impact of the hot dusty north westerly winds in the Summer;
  • Reduce the impact of the cold dusty north westerly winds in the Winter; and
  • Minimise the undesired “heat island” effects.