Global technology and manufacturing giant Johnson Controls wanted to expand its Asia Pacific presence, and elected to build a new five-story, 54,000-square-meter (177,165-square-foot) headquarters facility. The goal was to provide space for innovation while maintaining a comfortable work space and pushing the boundaries of sustainable building design.

Glumac’s Shanghai MEP engineering team helped the Johnson Controls facility achieve LEED Platinum – one of the first in Asia to receive the sustainable building certification. 2,000-square-meters of solar photovoltaics and advanced daylighting controls position the facility to achieve increased energy efficiency, while low-flow plumbing fixtures, a graywater treatment system and a massive rainwater harvesting system that covers 50% of the building’s green roof and saves approx. 800,000 gallons of water each year also make Johnson Controls’ East Asia headquarters one of the country’s most water efficient.

On top of its LEED Platinum certification, the Johnson Controls Shanghai HQ has also received China Green Building Design Label Three Star Certification. It is expected to generate 44% savings in overall energy consumption compared to baseline standards.

Sustainable Building Features

• Displacement ventilation; floor-mounted chilled beams
• Geothermal system for condenser water system
• Earth tube system for outside air intake
• UV lamps installation at the air handling units
• Condensate water collection and reuse storage system
• Kitchen exhaust with variable airflow system
• Photovoltaics and Solar hot water system
• Fuel cell system
• On-site water purification system
• Daylighting control

Awards/Certifications

• LEED Platinum
• China Green Building Design Label Three Star Certification
• The first-ever EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency) design-phase certification for an office building in China

Size: 54,000 square meters (177,165 square feet)
End Date: 2014
Owner: IPB
Architect: Gensler
Services: MEP Engineering

Images courtesy of Gensler