Its designers say the Pearl River Tower will be the world’s most energy-efficient high-rise structure (Artist’s rendering: SOM)

Designers of the Peal River Tower, in Guangzhou, China, say their building, a 71-story, 2.3-million sq.-ft. tower, will be the world’s most energy-efficient high-rise structure. The tower, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), is scheduled for completion in 2009.

The Pearl River Tower will be an aerodynamic form developed, SOM says, through a careful understanding of solar and wind patterns at the building site. The tower will be positioned to maximize its solar potential and minimize the interference of wind forces, using openings to relieve the structural burdens imposed by high-wind pressures (see artist’s rendering at right).

Pearl River Tower’s shape should direct wind to a pair of openings at its mechanical floors where wind turbines will generate energy for the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The tower will also maximize natural day-lighting, reduce solar gain in air conditioned spaces, retain rainwater for gray-water usage and use solar gain for the building’s hot water supply. A combination of displacement ventilation, radiant panel cooling and chilled beams will cool the tower while solar collectors power the air conditioning. The tower is also slated to include external shades and automated blinds.