GP Completes Landmark Ultra-Low-Energy Tower in China

GP announces the completion of the Zhuhai China Resources Bank Headquarters, a landmark ultra-low-energy office tower and a major milestone for developer CR Land. Located in northern Zhuhai near the city’s North Railway Station, the 60,000-square-meter tower and bank hall complex is among CR Land’s first ultra-low-energy office projects and a flagship example of the firm’s commitment to China’s “dual carbon” targets.

Through an integrated design approach that prioritizes energy reduction, optimizes building performance, and generates renewable energy on site, the project achieves a comprehensive energy savings rate of 46%, with renewable sources supplying 15% of the complex’s total energy consumption.

Ultra-low-energy performance was established as a guiding principle early in the design process and informed all major design decisions. The design team evaluated multiple high-performance façade strategies supported by comprehensive solar analysis, ultimately integrating 1,100 square meters of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels into the spandrel zone of the tower’s south façade. These panels comprise 28% of the curtain wall surface area and are a major contributor to on-site energy generation.

The BIPV system integrates solar cell technology into laminated spandrel glass panels while maintaining the high-gloss aesthetic of the curtain wall. An additional 2,100 square meters of photovoltaic panels are installed on the tower and podium roofs, bringing the total photovoltaic area to 3,200 square meters and enabling a renewable energy utilization rate of 15%—a significant achievement for an office tower.

“By prioritizing effective energy reduction strategies from the outset, we were able to make a meaningful contribution through on-site renewable energy,” said Travis Soberg, AIA, LEED AP, principal and director of sustainable design at GP.

Key energy-reduction strategies include the strategic placement of major energy rooms near load sources to minimize power loss, improvements to operational efficiency, and enhanced thermal performance of the building envelope.

The tower’s unitized curtain wall system further improves energy performance through its optimized configuration, achieving a window-to-wall ratio of nearly 0.5 on all façades while maintaining a transparent, all-glass appearance. Triple low-emissivity coatings on all vision glass help the curtain wall achieve a solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.22, while thermal breaks throughout the system reduce heat transfer.

Vertical piers integrated into the façade incorporate operable panels that provide natural ventilation for occupants. Spaced every three meters and measuring 500 millimeters in width, the piers are easily accessible and provide enhanced user comfort. Despite the façade’s “breathable” design, each pier is fully insulated to preserve the thermal integrity of the building enclosure.

“Breathable façades give occupants access to fresh air while supporting a healthy indoor environment,” said David Lillie, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, design principal at GP. “These passive strategies represent the quiet intelligence of the building.”

In parallel with its sustainability goals, the headquarters tower was designed to establish a strong civic presence in Zhuhai’s emerging high-tech district. Situated near the South China Sea, the tower’s form conveys strength and stability in alignment with the values of China Resources Bank, while the high-performance façade accentuates the building’s verticality and presence on the skyline. The tower’s crown is composed of layers of fritted glass and bronze aluminum, creating a glowing omnidirectional lantern at night.

“The building will become an architectural landmark for Zhuhai—an iconic tower that showcases advanced solar technology and is visible throughout the district,” said James Zheng, AIA, LEED AP, CEO and president at GP.