Reduce the energy demand of buildings (heating/cooling)

Options

…by insulating the building with green roofs and/or walls.
…by designing roof decks and hardscape with high-albedo materials to reduce energy use.
…by preventing heat gain by reducing solar exposure (with trees or canopies).
…by harnessing radiant heat from sun in winter (with deciduous trees).
…by defusing wind force to buildings in the winter (with evergreen windbreaks).

Case Study

At Giant Interactive’s Headquarters, SWA Group worked with the architect to incorporate an extensive green roof on the complex folding and dipping surfaces on-structure and on-grade. The 15,222 square meter surface insulates the building with 10 inches of lightweight planting soil and a mix of liriope, carex, sedum, oenothera, spirea and other species placed according to exposure. In addition, above the structural slab, a layer of rigid insulation reduces the temperature inside by another ten degrees.

Tactic

Reduce the energy demand of buildings (heating/cooling)

Options

…by insulating the building with green roofs and/or walls.

…by designing roof decks and hardscape with high-albedo materials to reduce energy use.

…by preventing heat gain by reducing solar exposure (with trees or canopies).

…by harnessing radiant heat from sun in winter (with deciduous trees).

…by defusing wind force to buildings in the winter (with evergreen windbreaks).

Case Study

Explore more tactics and resources in the Reduce Operational Energy strategy.