Zircon, an elegant office tower in Hong Kong is being built

In Hong Kong's new CBD Kowloon East, close to the Victoria Harbour, a sustainable office tower is currently being built according to the design of ingenhoven architects. Due to its glass facade, the building appears light and transparent despite its height of 100 meters. Since the subtropical climate leads to more than 200 hours of sunshine per month during the summer, the facade reduces the solar gain up to 30 percent by using external shading louvers which are shaped to provide a maximum of sunshade while maintaining undisturbed views out from the offices. Despite these climate-specific and functional aspects, the facade offers impressive views of Hong Kong's skyline. The evergreen roof garden and several planted rest areas bring nature back into the city and the building and therefore help reduce the heat island effect. Inside the building, warm and natural materials provide a bright and friendly atmosphere. Next year the office tower will be completed. ingenhoven architects designed Germany´s first sustainable office tower in the 1990s and is responsible for "1 Bligh" in Sydney, the first green office tower with 6 Star/World Leadership certification in the Australian Green Star system.