The Active House vision creates a healthier and more comfortable life for building occupants and looks beyond energy performance of buildings by incorporating aspects such as indoor air quality, daylighting and thermal environment which influences productivity, health and well-being. The Active House standards emphasize both comfort and sustainability to improve the design of residential, commercial and office buildings. An Active House aims to actively integrate three key principles of Comfort, Energy and the Environment.

VELUX China Headquarters- China’s first Active House office building

One such example is the headquarters of VELUX China where considerable research was invested on behalf of the company’s design team to leverage increased natural daylighting and ventilation as key drivers for improving human comfort. Located in Langfang, Heibei province, around 45 kilometers from Beijing, the building houses management, marketing and the technical department and sales division. The two-storey building, with sloping walls and in the shape of a pyramid with inflow of natural daylight and ventilation through the roof windows, aims to create a healthy workplace for its users.  

VELUX China Headquarters- A Healthy Workplace

Physical and mental wellbeing of employees cannot be separated from work environment. The multi-facetted design strategy serves as model for VELUX group to inspire its employees and customers of the benefits of healthy design, in addition to thermal comfort and low energy applications. The building tour will provide an inside look into the leading-edge sustainable strategies used in achieving China’s very first Active House office building.

SHI YUAN BY REN HAIPENG (2021 ACTIVE HOUSE AWARDS WINNER)

The building tour will include a sharing of the 2021 Active House award winner- “SHI YUAN”, Shatanbei Street No. 3 Courtyard Renovation project, by the Architect Mr. Ren Haipeng. The project integrates tradition and modernity, interior and exterior spaces, and practicality and technology. Natural daylight and ventilation are the main concepts in the courtyard design, not only for its functional purpose, but creating an exquisite courtyard life that is both comfortable and versatile. The design considers Active House standards including comfort, energy and environment.

SHI YUAN- Active House Winner 2021

The old Beijing courtyard is sensitively restored and creates a meaningful human living environment which features versatility and multi-functional space design. To meet the occupant comfort while reducing energy consumption, natural daylight and ventilation is a key design principle to reduce operating energy consumption. Environmentally friendly and natural materials are selected including wood and handmade bricks in the building design. The project serves as a demonstration for the transformation and reconstruction of the old city, by combining the ancient courtyard space with innovative strategies and technologies.

EVENT SCHEDULE

8.30: Departure from Exit D Langmaqiao, Subway line 10

8:40-10:00: Bus transportation to VELUX

10.00-10.30: Introduction of VELUX and Active House, by VELUX

10:30-11:00: Active House Award “SHI YUAN”, by the designer Mr. Ren Haipeng

11:00-12:00: Active House visit

12:00-13:30: Lunch & Networking

13.30: Bus return to Beijing

EVENT INFORMATION

Date: Saturday, September 17th, 2022
Time: 8:30 am - 13:30 pm  
Address: Departure from Exit D Langmaqiao, Subway line 10
Fees*: AIA Members: Free | Non-Members: 150rmb | Students**: 80rmb
CES Credit: 2LU for AIA Members
Language: English

Note* A less than 48 hours COVID test is required to participate in this trip
Note** Please provide a valid student ID to register