Harbin

The Heilongjiang Cold Land Building Science Research Institute in Harbin serves as a landmark demonstration of zero-emissions building (ZEB) renovation in China’s cold climate zone, showing how heritage buildings can be retrofitted to achieve ambitious carbon reduction goals. The project prioritized operational efficiency through a high-performance building envelope. Vacuum insulation panels were applied internally on the street-facing façade to preserve historical aesthetics, while rock wool was installed on the courtyard side. Triple-glazed windows and optimized thermal bridge solutions further improved the building’s energy performance.

Heating and cooling are provided by air-source heat pumps, with electric boilers for extreme cold. A compound ventilation system with heat recovery delivers fresh air without compromising thermal mass or ceiling height, while rooftop photovoltaic panels supply renewable electricity. Circular construction strategies included reuse of structural elements, modular partitions, and design for disassembly.