REHAU Passivhaus installation in Xingfubao, China

Passivhaus: Green shoots in China?

  • 9 Feb 2016

REHAU’s Malcolm Taylor comments on the Chinese Passivhaus market, which is now one of the fastest growing in the world.

China may once have been criticised as the world’s biggest polluter, and no one would argue that it hasn’t still got a long way to go in addressing this international issue; but there are some really encouraging signs in the construction market which indicate that it’s finally starting to go just a little bit greener.

Reports from REHAU colleagues in China are that Passivhaus is being taken very seriously there now and some really interesting and large scale projects are springing up.  In fact, purely in terms of start-up projects, you might be surprised to know that the Chinese Passivhaus market is now one of the fastest growing in the world.

Experienced Passivhaus designers and planners are suddenly in real demand and there’s lots of work taking place to make the knowledge transfer process as quick and effective as possible.

In contrast to the UK where the market in the early days was driven largely by enthusiastic self-builders and architects of one off residential properties, in China, it’s in the commercial sector where Passivhaus is making a big impact.

The first Passivhaus certified building in China’s western region for instance was a 7800m² commercial office building with six storeys and two basement floors.  

Passed by the German Passivhaus Institute in August 2014, the air tightness is just n50=0.2h-1.  Obviously, air tightness of buildings in some of China’s high pollution areas is particularly important.

Since then, REHAU has been involved in supplying its Passivhaus certified GENEO window system to lots of similar projects, including a 5000m² five storey office and apartment building in Zhuozhuo City with an air tightness score of n50=0.1h-1 which is now being used by the Chinese government as a pilot project for Passivhaus technology in offices.

As you might expect, the German and Austrian governments are closely involved with the Chinese at the moment in assisting them with the planning and certification of projects.

Considering the high levels of pollution China still creates, the more Passivhaus building designs and constructions erected will help to negate the environmental effects of at least some of this.

Leave a Reply

Latest news

Vent-Axia
West Fraser

First Processing Industries apprenticeship completed within West Fraser

West Fraser is pleased to announce that the company’s continued investment in apprenticeships, as well as wider staff development training, has seen one recruit successfully complete his modern apprenticeship.

Posted in Articles, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Systems, Recruitment, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Timber Buildings and Timber Products, Training, Walls, Wooden products

ADSA

ADSA’s 40 Years of Innovation

The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) is kicking off its 40th anniversary with the launch of an animated timeline that showcases its incredible journey and industry-defining achievements.

Posted in Access Control & Door Entry Systems, Architectural Ironmongery, Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Doors, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Innovations & New Products, Recruitment, Retrofit & Renovation, Security and Fire Protection, Training, Videos

Senior

Senior answers the call at Merseyside’s new state-of-the-art fire station

Safe, secure, and sustainable aluminium fenestration solutions from Senior Architectural Systems have been installed at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service’s brand-new fire station in Aintree.

Posted in Aluminium Products, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Curtain Walling, Doors, Facades, Glass, Glazing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency, Walls, Windows