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Siming Wu

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Chapel of the Jinting Bay / O-office Architects

Chapel of the Jinting Bay / O-office Architects - More Images+ 26

Shanwei, China

Pearl River Brewery Phase II / Atelier cnS

Pearl River Brewery Phase II / Atelier cnS - More Images+ 30

Guangzhou, China
  • Architects: Atelier cnS
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  10690
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2021

Urban Park Micro Renovation / Atelier cnS + School of Architecture, South China University of Technology

Urban Park Micro Renovation / Atelier cnS + School of Architecture, South China University of Technology - More Images+ 31

Foshan, China

(Re)forming Duichuan Tea Yards / O-office Architects

(Re)forming Duichuan Tea Yards / O-office Architects - More Images+ 36

Embodied Energy in Building Materials: What it is and How to Calculate It

All human activities affect the environment. Some are less impactful, some much, much more. According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the construction sector is responsible for up to 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Activities such as mining, processing, transportation, industrial operations, and the combination of chemical products result in the release of gases such as CO2, CH4, N2O, O3, halocarbons, and water vapor. When these gases are released into the atmosphere, they absorb a portion of the sun's rays and redistribute them in the form of radiation in the atmosphere, warming our planet. With a rampant amount of gas released daily, this layer thickens, which causes solar radiation to enter and and stay in the planet. Today, this 'layer' has become so thick that mankind is beginning to experience severe consequence, such as desertification, ice melting, water scarcity, and the intensification of storms, hurricanes, and floods, which has modified ecosystems and reduced biodiversity.

As architects, one of our biggest concerns should be the reduction of carbon emissions from the buildings we construct. Being able to measure, quantify, and rate this quality is a good way to start.

How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China?

How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China? - Image 13 of 4
Public Toilets in Zuzhai Village / cnS. Image © Siming Wu

In recent years, with the accelerated urban development of public spaces in China, public washrooms have been assigned numerous new roles. Designers have come up with a variety of proposals which suggest turning public washrooms into a place where social gathering can be redefined, and temporary stay can be more engaging. Although the scale of public washrooms is significantly smaller than that of any other type of architecture, Chinese architects have been working innovatively on fitting the public washrooms into the changing social contexts. Below are a few examples that demonstrate some current architectural experiments with public washroom design in China.

How Are Public Washrooms Shaping Places in China? - More Images+ 30

Renovation of Shunde Diesel Engine Plant Phase II / Atelier cnS

Renovation of Shunde Diesel Engine Plant Phase II / Atelier cnS - More Images+ 30

Foshan, China

Shenzhen Mingde Academy / O-office Architects

Shenzhen Mingde Academy / O-office Architects - More Images+ 41

  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  25000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019

Public Toilets in Zuzhai Village / cnS

Public Toilets in Zuzhai Village / cnS - More Images+ 26

Hongling Experimental Primary School / O-office Architects

Hongling Experimental Primary School / O-office Architects - More Images+ 40

Shenzhen, China
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  33721
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019

Quanzhou Vanke “Tang” Town / cnS

Quanzhou Vanke “Tang” Town / cnS - More Images+ 31

Quanzhou, China
  • Architects: cnS
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  29500
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019

B.I.G Haizhu Bay Creative Zone / Atelier cn°S

B.I.G Haizhu Bay Creative Zone / Atelier cn°S - More Images+ 27

  • Architects: Atelier cn°S
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  32000
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2018

White House / Atelier cnS

White House / Atelier cnS - More Images+ 38

Dongguan, China