The National Taiwan University Humanities Building (NTUHB) is a new facility for the College of Liberal Arts, located adjacent to the campus’s main entrance and near the iconic Holey Halls. This presented a significant design challenge, which was met with a harmonious and sustainable design approach.
Collaborating with the local architect Chien Architects & Associates, Arup provided MEP and sustainability consultancy services for the project.
NTUHB been certified for EEWH and the Intelligent Building Label, and clinched the top prize at the prestigious 2024 Taiwan Architecture Awards. We are delighted to have contributed to this significant building and to be recognised for our technical excellence.
Sustainable design
Considering its prominent position and influence on the campus’s aesthetics, the architect designed a sunken plaza surrounded by buildings to introduce daylight and natural ventilation while minimising the building’s height to reduce its environmental impact.
Our MEP team worked closely with the architect and the University to minimise the visual impact of air-conditioning equipment while ensuring sufficient cooling loads. All air-conditioning outdoor units are concealed by carefully calculated grilles to ensure adequate intake and outtake space based on local weather data. The air-conditioning equipment seamlessly integrates into the design, sharing the same grille element as the building façade. This harmonious design is the result of trust and effective collaboration among the project owner, architect and engineers.
Our sustainability team supported the building in attaining Silver certification in EEWH, the local green building labelling system, and securing certification by the Intelligent Building Label.
The building’s form and spatial arrangement allow nearly 90% of indoor spaces to benefit from natural ventilation. The grille façade is well-designed to prevent solar radiation based on orientation and local weather conditions, creating a comfortable indoor environment.