Featuring a unique and iconic folded facade, the Shenzhen Energy Company headquarters building in Shenzhen, China, marks the surrounding skyline while providing a sustainable and efficient solution to withstanding the city’s tropical climate.

The folded facade of the 656 ft (200 m) tall building serves to shade the complex from direct sunlight, with closed sections created from solar thermal panels that insulate the building while still allowing indirect sunlight to flow through. The folded wall provides a free view through clear glass in one direction with plenty of diffused daylight by reflecting the direct sunlight between the interior panels. Even with direct sun from east or west, the majority of the solar rays reflect off the glass, due to the flat angle of the window. The reflected rays increase the efficiency of solar thermal energy panels. The combination of minimal passive solar heating and active solar panels reduce the energy consumption by more than 60%.

Front worked as a facade consultant to complete Construction Documentation, Schematic Design, and Design Development for the project, and created complete facade detail drawings for the bid side.