Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (CSET Building) by MC Architects wins the 2009 MIPIM Green Building Award

The Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies designed by MC A has won the 2009 MIPIM Green Building Award. The winner was announced at a spectacular awards ceremony in the main auditorium in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on March 12th.

Mario Cucinella is the first Italian Architect to win a MIPIM award.



The Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies (CSET) focus on the diffusion of sustainable technologies such as solar power, photovoltaic energy, wind power and so forth. The 1,300m2 building accommodates a visitors centre, research laboratories and classrooms for masters courses. The pavilion stands in a large meadow alongside a stream that runs through the campus.

DESIGN CONCEPT:

It's design is inspired by Chinese lanterns and traditional wooden screens.



The façade folds dramatically to create a dynamic shape. The building is entirely clad with a double skin of glass with screen printed patterns evoking historical buildings of the area.

The appearance of the building changes from day to night.



The design employs various environmental strategies. A large rooftop opening brings natural light to all floors of the building simultaneously creating a flue effect to allow efficient natural ventilation and geothermal energy is used to cool and heat the floor slabs. In fact, the building is designed so that it's eletrical energy needs for cooling are only 7-8 kWhel /m2 year.

Via MarioCucinella Architects