Jan 24 2011
Taiwan declared the inauguration of its first ever zero-carbon and energy saving building. The Y. S. Sun Green Building Research Center also known as Magic School of Green Technology has received top certificates from Ecology, Energy Saving, Waste Reduction and Health (EEWH) agencies of Taiwan and from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems, of the U.S.
The new green center with three levels above the ground and one level below the ground type of construction has a total occupational floor area of 4,800m², and it will display the new developments attained through the green building research and will also serve as the international conference center for the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). The building incorporates green efficient technologies such as renewable energy, energy saving, waste reduction, Nano photo-catalysts and water recycling. The building completed at a cost of NT$87,000 per 36 square feet incorporates 13 diverse green building design adoptions, which includes 5 methods of ventilation energy-saving, 2 methods to reduce equipment usage and 5 methods of renewable energy usage and equipment energy-saving expertise. The air-conditioning system installed in the building surmounts disadvantages such as formation of mildew and condensation, accumulation of dust and growth of bacteria and utilized ecological friendly and anti-bacterial steel for construction.
The toilets constructed in the building are fitted with UB-FINE water reduction system to provide hands-free access and zero power usage to stop bacteria dissemination and infection. The serpentine jade cement to be used in the internal conference halls as stone material with its high level alkaline, hydroxyl stems and magnetic field has properties that is expected to cleanse the surrounding air, trigger off the cells and bring benefits to human health. Externally, the building has the look of a spaceship and the rooftop of the space ship resembles the shape of Napoleon cap constituting an abstruse sun shade to prevent large quantity of direct solar radiation from seeping into the building thus saving the power used for air-conditioning. The roof of the building has a roof garden with plants that can endure drought conditions.
Source: http://ncku.edu.tw