19/11/2014
Chinese state developer Franshion Properties has been awarded a BREEAM ‘very good’ design rating for its exemplar Jin Mao Palace housing development in heart of Shanghai. This growing use of BREEAM in China reflects the country’s increasing appetite to meet international standards for green buildings and comes hot on the heels of the recent landmark agreement between China and the US to significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over the next three decades.
The central Shanghai Jin Mao Palace development of nine high rise apartment blocks comprising 694 homes for private sale, adopts a fabric first approach to sustainability using high performance insulation and double glazing. Energy provision (an increasing challenge for the city as it grows apace) is provided by ground source heat pumps and a mixed mode mechanical ventilation system which filters polluted air taken in from the outdoors.
Speaking at an awards ceremony in the city, Franshion Shanghai Vice President Mr Tianhai Tao said ‘These homes will meet international standards for health and comfort - from indoor air quality, thermal comfort and water quality to noise minimisation, safety and accessibility, space and privacy - they will ultimately promote better quality of life for people.’
Key amenities like schools, shops and fitness centres are integrated into the development which is on a brownfield site. The highest BREEAM design stage scores were achieved for transport and land use and ecology. The development is well connected to several network bus routes and a subway station and includes bike sheds with provision for 900 bicycles. Large green spaces around the apartment blocks form a key part of the project with indigenous planting designed to attract biodiversity.
These features are collectively recognised under the BREEAM standard for providing healthy, comfortable urban homes that minimise energy consumption.
BRE China Director Jaya Skandamoorthy said ‘This is a key milestone in city housing development in China. The country has a huge requirement for homes that not only minimise resource use but also promotes health and wellbeing. The lessons we learn from this project can be shared with other projects in China, and inform the future development of China’s regulations and standards’.
For further information please contact Linda McKeown, tel 01923 225180, email mckeownl@bre.co.uk