Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Headquarters Building: Shenzhen, China

Model for China's Future

A tropical garden with water features flourishes on the sixth floor on the Shenzhen IBR Headquarters Building. The “sky garden” is one of the most prominent examples of the designers' effort to integrate nature into this project. The building uses significantly less energy than its Shenzhen peers, largely due to electricity savings from daylighting and natural ventilation. Occupants and the environment all benefit from the sustainable design, which the authors state can serve as a model for future green building projects in China.