China embraces the Passive House

Energy efficient construction is becoming increasingly important – now also in China. A particularly good example of this has just been completed west of Shanghai: an apartment hotel in Passive House Standard. The five-storey building, which was inaugurated in August, is located on a research campus in Changxing, Zhejiang Province. Compared with conventional residential buildings in China about 95 percent of the energy is saved, according to the building owner. This was made possible by a project planning that was specially adapted to the hot and humid climate of the Yangtze River Delta region.

The “Passivhaus Bruck” building designed by Peter Ruge Architekten contains 46 residential units, including four model apartments, each with three rooms. Interested Chinese families can live here for a short time in order to experience for themselves the high level of living comfort provided by the Passive House Standard even under the extreme regional weather conditions. In the hot summer, the pilot project, which has been certified by the international Passive House Institute, is protected from too much sun by fixed shading elements. Pleasant indoor temperatures at all times of the year are further provided by a well-insulated building envelope, a highly efficient ventilation system and triple-glazing of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The new Passive House building was commissioned by the Chinese Landsea Group; the project is part of the property developer’s efforts to test and introduce energy-saving and sustainable construction methods in the region. “A very large part of the global construction activity is currently taking place in China; consequently, it is all the more pleasing that the advantages of the Passive House Standard are also being recognised here,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Feist. The Director of the Passive House Institute himself was able to stay overnight in this highly energy efficient building during a recent visit to China. “My stay there was very satisfying,” says Feist, “and I’m sure that many Chinese guests will also be impressed and convinced by the experience of an overnight stay in this Passive House building.”

An excellent opportunity to personally experience the advantages of the Passive House can be availed of on the second weekend in November – not only in China but also in many other countries around the world. During the annual International Passive House Days hundreds of Passive House residents will again open their doors for visitors this year. An overview of the buildings which can be visited between 7 and 9 November will be available on the website www.passivehouse-database.org. Passive House owners can also directly register their buildings for the Passive House Days event directly through this website.