Woods Bagot and Buro Happold have announced Zero Emissions Design (Zero-E) – a new model for large-scale sustainable development.

Zero-E was created to deliver a zero carbon and zero emissions development and challenges the industry to fulfil its leadership role in support of the UN Compact on climate change and China’s commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45 per cent by 2020, compared with 2005 levels. 

As their 'test case', the joint team has chosen a typical development type for China.

"The construction industry has known for some time that increasing the sustainability of buildings and cities is key to turning the tide on climate change," says Ross Donaldson, global executive chairman and CEO of Woods Bagot.

"The ZERO-E pilot project confirms that using the expertise and tools available to us today far greater advances in building performance—those that comprise zero emissions design—are currently within the industry’s capabilities. This joint initiative is not only an entirely new model for sustainable design, it is also a call to action and an invitation to our development and construction partners to join us as we lead the way to a truly sustainable future."

The pilot project examines the development potential of an industrial site on the Yangtze River in Chongqing, China.

The study scheme proposes a 450,000 sqm mixed-use development featuring an 82-storey office and hotel tower, which will continually monitor and react to internal and external climatic conditions for maximum performance.

A 'holistic resource system' integrates photovoltaics, solar thermal panels, absorption chillers, a biogas fuel cell and an anaerobic waste digester into a closed-loop system.

Woods Bagot and Buro Happold undertook extensive research, including the development of new parametric modelling, tools to design and test Zero-E concepts.

In the pilot project’s next phase, the partnership will collaborate with development partners in the application of ZERO-E solutions.