Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies by MC Architects

Guest Contribution by Pascal Panagiotidis

Architectural projects with minimum environmental impact are quite a necessity nowadays and we are glad to welcome every such effort. The Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (CSET) designed by Mario Cucinella Architects meets all the requirements using all nature’s resources like the rain water or low energy materials. The importance of this project is quite obvious if we bear in mind that it is designed for the world’s greatest energy consuming country, China. Ironic? Not exactly, as CSET is an example for environmentally friendly buildings showing the way to the rest of the architectural world. Green and Beautiful is a reality and it’s name is CSET.

text by MC Architects
The Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (CSET) in will focus on the diffusion of sustainable technologies such as solar power, photovoltaic energy, wind power and so forth. The 1,300m2 building accommodates a visitors centre, research laboratories and classrooms for masters courses. The pavilion stands in a large meadow alongside a stream that runs through the campus. It's design is inspired by Chinese lanterns and traditional wooden screens.

The façade folds dramatically to create a dynamic shape. The building is entirely clad with a double skin of glass with screen printed patterns evoking historical buildings of the area. The appearance of the building changes from day to night. The design employs various environmental strategies. A large rooftop opening brings natural light to all floors of the building simultaneously creating a flue effect to allow efficient natural ventilation and geothermal energy is used to cool and heat the floor slabs. In fact, the building is designed so that it's eletrical energy needs for cooling are only 7-8 kWhel /m2 year.

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