Shenzhen ▎Near-Zero Energy Retrofit of the Municipal Government Office Building

Shenzhen Municipal Construction Engineering Quality Supervision and Testing Laboratory Building Safety Improvement Project Located at No. 1 Zhenxing Road, Futian District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, the original building was an office complex constructed in the 1980s, with a floor area of 7,468 m². After years of use, the structure had fallen into disrepair and sustained severe damage, making it difficult to meet modern office requirements. Therefore, a green renovation project was undertaken. Upon completion, the building will serve as an office space for government agencies, with the total renovated floor area now standing at 8,696.44 m².

This project adopts a design strategy that primarily relies on passive analysis rooted in climate biology, supplemented by active approaches. It integrates dozens of advanced technologies—such as green energy-saving solutions, structural safety monitoring, and intelligent upgrades—to transform the building. The goal is to achieve a smart, comfortable office structure with near-zero energy consumption through passive design, serving as a valuable guide and providing meaningful insights for retrofitting existing public buildings in regions characterized by hot summers and mild winters toward near-zero energy standards.

The project has received near-zero energy building design certification, becoming a benchmark green renovation project for existing buildings in South China—and also an internationally recognized demonstration project for green retrofits of existing structures. It has already earned numerous international, national, and provincial/ministerial-level awards.

Technical Solution

Key Technical Indicators

Technological Innovation Points

The project is designed around the concepts of "green, healthy, energy-efficient, and smart," aiming to achieve a "people-centric, user-friendly" outcome. During the green renovation process, the building fully leverages the enduring potential of its original materials: terrazzo tiles removed on-site are repurposed as aggregate for precast concrete components; meanwhile, salvaged aluminum alloy window and door frames are dismantled to serve as vertical greenery frameworks for the building’s exterior facade. By recycling and reusing these existing materials, the renovated structure maintains a material continuity with the original architecture, ensuring the building’s legacy while significantly reducing both renovation costs and its overall lifecycle carbon footprint.

Economic efficiency

The total investment for this project is approximately RMB 19.3527 million. During the renovation process, the project incorporated more than 20 energy-saving technologies, resulting in a total green incremental cost of about RMB 3.6 million. According to energy consumption simulation software analysis, the project can save 264,740 kWh annually, translating to annual energy cost savings of roughly RMB 529,500. The static payback period for the incremental investment in green building measures is approximately 7 years.

As the Shenzhen Municipal Government Office Building, the Shenzhen Testing Business Building places great emphasis on the practical application and promotion of green renovation technologies, researching green technologies with broad potential for wider adoption. This initiative aims to achieve energy savings, environmental protection, and sustainable development, while also serving as a catalyst for existing building renovation projects across Shenzhen and even nationwide, thereby driving forward the city’s ongoing efforts in transforming its older structures.