“Zero Carbon Design 2030 is both a line in the sand and a clear statement of ambition,” explains Joe Tang, Director at Cundall Hong Kong.

“We know we cannot delay transitioning how we design, build and operate our urban communities. Our ZCD2030 commitment shows we accept the urgency.”

The target also starts the conversation with clients now. Cundall has demonstrated that both new and existing buildings can be highly-efficient, all-electric and powered by renewable energy. The award-winning Treehouse project in Hong Kong and the net zero-ready CURA office tower being developed by Grosvenor Group in Japan are flagship projects in this regard.

Treehouse is a future-ready winning design at the “Advancing Net Zero” (ANZ) Ideas Competition organised by the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) and Swire Properties. Working with the renowned architect, Ronald Lu & Partners, the team developed a net zero carbon climate-adapted, biophilic office tower workplace concept featuring engineered timber to reduce embodied carbon. The building’s eco-conscious integrated building services dramatically reduce energy and water requirements, while reconnecting humanity and nature. The building geometry is optimised to maximise solar PV generation and self-shading while allowing for natural ventilation.

Cundall Asia-Pacific also consulted on the world’s first net zero Living Building Challenge certified retail centre, Burwood Brickworks, developed by Frasers Property Australia.

The company’s multidisciplinary engineers and designers are also experts in supporting existing buildings to reduce their environmental footprint and enhance their efficiency.

There are a growing number of clients including major portfolio owners gaining help from our Building Performance Services team around the world, according to Cundall Asia-Pacific Managing Director, Julian Bott.

“Building Performance Services fuses two specialities Cundall is known for – inventive multidisciplinary engineering design and project management, and sustainability auditing, advisory and strategic planning.”

He explains the team has developed a practical pathway that begins with an expert energy audit, then the planning of works to improve performance, reduce energy use and ready the building for all-electric operation powered by renewable energy.

“Owners of existing buildings have an enormous opportunity to reduce their operational costs, add value to their assets and build their reputation with investors, tenants and authorities through retrofits,” Bott noted.

Clients who have benefited from this holistic suite of skills include RF Corval, whose Workzone East commercial office building in Perth achieved carbon neutral certification.

“We have been seeing more requests from clients who want to reduce the carbon emissions of their portfolios,” Tang says. “They are actively seeking practical solutions to help them in achieving their zero-carbon goal. This further strengthens our determination to implement our ZCD2030 initiative. It is what the market needs, and Cundall can help them in reaching this goal.”