The latest addition to the green building brigade is the Hong Kong Science Park that has achieved aesthetic and functional brilliance by implementing attractive as well as energy-efficient façade glazing in the architecture of all buildings in the park.
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A double-glazing curtain wall system with special glass combined with sunshades has been used in all buildings in Phase-1. Doing this has reduced the Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) to a mere 20 watts per sq. meter. The glass chosen has low thermal conductivity and high solar reflection (greater than 50 percent) together with high light transmission (of over 70 percent).
The façades are covered in a combination of aluminum panels, double glazed window units and integrated photovoltaic panels. Dark blue solar glass that harnesses solar energy and generate electricity makes up part of the façade. This solar glass is laced with Building Integrated Photo Voltaic (BIPV) cells that can be integrated seamlessly into an architectural structure.
A second façade is added in front of the curtain wall on the west-facing side. The cavity between the two façades has an upward passage for air, which carries away absorbed solar heat. It also soundproofs the interiors, so as to cut off the noise emanating from the Tolo Highway.
The roof panels consist of two layers, again to provide insulation from solar heat. Metallic roofing sheets covered with PV panels dot the roof.
In this way, the double-glazed curtain wall system and sun shading devices together with the metal roof provide thermal protection as well as acoustic forces.
Low-e coated windows permit natural light to come in whilst cutting off infrared radiation. Low-e coating has also been used in combination with a reflective coating to reduce transmission of visible light even further.
