Zero-energy Tower Could Rise in Guangdong, China
by Mairi Beautyman, Berlin, Germany 
on 04.19.06
A 300-meter tower requiring no net energy to operate could be erected in Guangdong, China. Designed by the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), what is informally known as the Zero Energy Tower is one of three finalists for Guangdong Tobacco Company’s new headquarters, according to Architectural Record. SOM’s hi-tech design would be a revolutionary take on wind power. Integrated wind turbines would be housed on two separate mechanical floors and a sweeping southern façade would sport integrated louvers, calibrated to automatically adjust to the sun’s angle and intensity. "We felt this was an ideal opportunity to showcase how a large building could be designed to utilize energy harvested from the local environment," says SOM associate partner Gordon Gill, who worked on the proposal. ::Architectural Record
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Forget Going Green Because It's the Right Thing to Do—Go Green to Make Your Neighbors Jealous
- 6 Sinful Summer Street Foods, 6 Deliciously Green Alternatives
- Green Glossary: Bagasse
- Green Glossary: Ecosexy
- Set Your Ceiling Fan For Energy Savings
- Holter Graham Visits the Future: Wind Farms Across the Midwest
Feeling... conflicted... ugh...
tobacco company... green building... does not compute... what is this strange feeling? Oh god make it stop!
It's called "spin" for a reason....
Go see "Thank You For Smoking" and learn all about Token Reverse-Publicity Campaigns. They're a bargain investment compared to class-action lawsuits! You may leave the theatre with the same feeling.
beautiful
On a more optimistic and less cynical note, if/when this company gets legislated or sued out of existence, this well-built and efficient building will remain to be reused by others.
>>this well-built and efficient building will remain to be reused by others.
Very good point, Anony! I take back a certain measure of my cynacism, but one should note, some Asian tobacco companies are even more wealthy/powerful than US companies! Why, you my ask? In the words of my former Korean classmate Hyuan, "All Asian guys smoke. It's required."
This is amazing. Thanks for the post.
well good luck on the solar power.... the sun rarely shines through the fog/pollution in guangzhou! If it could run on smog power...or cigarrette fumes now that would be something !