The Return of Buildings as Breathing Systems

Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift

A tower that regulates its own climate - and a residential building that makes the city’s atmosphere tangible: Buildings are emerging in China that interweave structure, climate and use into a living system - articulating a new attitude towards sustainable architecture. In Guangzhou, gmp Architects are developing the CSCEC Headquarters, a tower whose structural frame shifts to the exterior, transforming the high-rise itself into a climatic machine. In Shanghai, meanwhile, Lacime Architects explore the subtlety of in-between spaces with their project “Exploration of the Regeneration and Sustainable Development of the Traditional Residential Environment on South Huangpi Road”: amidst a dense urban fabric of historic textures and layered block structures, a building emerges through terraces, passages and planted courtyards that integrates almost effortlessly into the daily life of the city.

Renovation and extension in Shanghai by Lacime Architects. © Lacime Architects

Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore euf. (1000 Zeichen inkl. Leerzeichen)

Sustainability as the starting point of design

What unites both projects is their shared understanding of sustainability - not as a technical add-on, but as the starting point of design. Form arises from climatic considerations; structure, envelope and use form systems that minimise energy before it needs to be generated or compensated. Here, sustainability is not demonstrated, but spatially conceived.

gmp Architects: CSCEC Headquarters in Guangzhou. © CreatAR Image

High-rise as climatic organism

The CSCEC Headquarters approaches the high-rise as a climatic organism. Twelve external mega-columns enable open, flexible interiors; a high degree of prefabrication and robotic assembly reduces emissions and enhances precision. A multi-storey atrium acts as a cold-air corridor, while the facade operates according to the solar chimney principle. Photovoltaic surfaces provide a significant share of the building’s energy supply. The tower attunes itself to its environment instead of shutting it out.

Longitudinal section. Detail of facade. © gmp Architekten

Spatial microclimates in Shanghai

On South Huangpi Road, the same attitude becomes tangible at the scale of the neighbourhood. Here, spatial microclimates are created: terraces and gardens provide shade and evaporative cooling; layered facades modulate light and air. Open ground-floor zones weave the building into the public realm and create spaces where climate becomes a direct, sensory experience.

Renovation and extension in Shanghai by Lacime Architects. © Lacime Architects

© Bildcredit

Lorem Ipsum: Zwischenüberschrift

Both projects demonstrate how architecture can exert its impact without self-display - by bringing climate, space and use into harmony, and by inscribing sustainability not as a claim but as part of everyday experience. For this, they were honoured with the Iconic Awards in October 2025.

Diese Artikel können Sie auch interessieren