Our Sustainable Practices

  Case Study Three – Fire Station with Ambulance Depot & Police Post at Penny's Bay, Lantau

Following the announcement of the construction of a new Theme Park on Lantau Island, the Government immediately assessed the facilities required to support the planned future developments. The Penny's Bay Police Post and Fire Station/Ambulance Depot are identified as essential facilities to support Northwest Lantau . These facilities are key to a fire-fighting mission during an event of disastrous hillside fire in the area which threaten the surrounding environment and local residents.

The complex consists of a 7-bay fire appliance building with a light and airy single-storey structure utilising photovoltaic panels as an integral element of the roof. Such an arrangement has double benefits, not only allowing the use of natural light and ventilation, but also at the same time generating renewable solar energy. Adjacent to the appliance bay are offices, barracks and ancillary accommodation that are housed inside a two-storey building with a central landscaped courtyard. A separate four-storey practice centre allows confined space, height and ladder practice. A central utility building with shared facilities such as the electrical and mechanical plants are provided for the two clients to achieve efficiency of the building services plant. The single-storey Police Post is arranged separately at the east side of the complex.

Some special features include:

 

 

 

 

 

 
1. Architectural Design
 
  • Functional orientation suits the use of building integrated photovoltaic panels with the roofs to provide renewable energy;
  • The roof design blends in with the low-rise design to minimise visual impact, collects rainwater for reuse and provides wide overhangs to shade walls;
  • Use of pergolas in key areas to shade walls;
  • Clerestory lighting and natural ventilation are provided; and
  • A combined building services utility building is shared between the two facilities.
2. Renewable energy – Innovative use of building integrated photovoltaic panels
 
  • Photovoltaic panels are utilised to generate electricity;
  • Opaque photovoltaic panels are used to form solid roofs (except appliance bay).
  • Double benefits from the use of building integrated photovoltaic panels as roof and solar power collectors.
  • Triple benefits for appliance bay: transparent, functions as roof and power generators.
  • The building integrated photovoltaic panels are designed to generate 10% of total electricity energy consumed by the complex.

3. Energy Conservation and Efficiency
 
  • Efficient building envelope design
    • Extensive roof overhangs and sun shading devices to minimise solar heat gain
    • Target OTTV: < 15 W/m2
    • Actual OTTV: 
      • Police Post – 10.72 W/m2
      • Fire Station – 12.64 W/m2
  • Energy Efficient Lighting Design
    • Reduction in artificial light usage through maximising daylight;
    • Luminaries with high intensity discharge lamps (HID) provide high lighting output and occupancy sensors to reduce energy use; and
    • Timer controls are provided for external lighting facilities.
  • Compliance with the Code of Practice for Energy Efficiency of Air Conditioning, Electrical and Lighting Installations.
4. Others
 
  • Collection of rainwater on the roof for reuse in vehicle washing and landscape irrigation.
  • The use of artificial materials minimises natural resource consumption.
  • The use of long life and low maintenance prefabricated materials.
  • Maximise the use of daylight and natural ventilation.