# Flower-Shaped Towers The Wuhan New Energy Centre is the World's Most Sustainable Office Building By manzil | Published 2010-06-25 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wuhan-new-energy References: [grontmij](http://www.grontmij.com/MediaCenter/Pages/Grontmij-and-Soeters-Van-Eldonk-win-international-design-competition-in-China-for-the-most-sustainable-office-building.aspx) & [soetersvaneldonk.nl](http://www.soetersvaneldonk.nl/eng/b-wuhan.html) Is the Wuhan New Energy Centre in China the world's most sustainable office building? Grontmij and Soeters Van Eldonk have designed an eco-friendly tower in the shape of a flower--the calla lily, to be exact. The Wuhan New Energy Centre will have [zero carbon emissions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sudameris-plaza) and, thanks to its [solar panel-covered exterior](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-tower-1), will even boast net zero energy. The office building will collect rainwater for its water supply, and use wind turbines to generate wind energy. The 140 m tall Wuhan New Energy Centre will be surrounded by [laboratories in the form of leaves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-leaves). Construction begins in November 2010. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.1/10 - Popularity: 69% | Activity: 77% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Office Buildings:** There is opportunity for disruptive innovation in designing eco-friendly office spaces with features such as zero carbon emissions, net zero energy, and the use of renewable resources like solar panels and wind turbines. - **Rainwater Collection Systems:** Disruptive innovation can be pursued in developing and implementing rainwater collection systems for buildings, allowing for more sustainable and efficient water usage. - **Renewable Energy Integration:** There is potential for disruptive innovation in integrating renewable energy technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines into building designs, enabling a move towards more sustainable energy sources. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Architecture:** The architecture industry can explore opportunities for disruptive innovation in designing sustainable buildings that prioritize energy efficiency and renewable resources. - **Green Building Materials:** The green building materials industry has the potential to disrupt the construction sector by developing and promoting materials that are more sustainable and energy-efficient. - **Renewable Energy:** The renewable energy industry can innovate by developing more advanced and efficient technologies, like solar panels and wind turbines, for integration into building designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Low-Carbon Biomimetic Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tonkin-liu.md) - [Rooftop Walkway-Topped Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shenzhen-energy-ring.md) - [Lotus Plant-Inspired Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/one-future.md) - [Clover-Style Conference Center Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zgc-international-innovation-center.md) - [Glass Facade Premium Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/henderson-office.md) - [Solar-Lined Energy Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-tower-1.md) - [Greenhouse Office Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/office-for-roundtable.md) - [Forest Tower Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wonderwoods-vertical-forest.md) - [Organic Striking Tower Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-leaves.md)