Guangzhou’s Nansha district plans to build a bus port at Yuhong Park in the Pearl Bay starting area. Construction will highlight a low-carbon concept with special structures and materials.

The project, covering 1,365 square meters, is expected to start in June and to be completed by the end of this year. After being put into use, there will be three bus lines originating from the park and providing convenient and low-carbon trips for local residents.

The design sketch shows that the bus port is themed on an umbrella shape. It uses prefabricated modules to combine structures. Each basic module has a hollow cylinder and an inverted umbrella-shaped roof structure just like trees growing upwards in the park, realizing the integration of architecture and nature.

Unlike ordinary integrated buildings, the prefabricated modular bus port will not only accelerate construction but also be of sustainable use, according to a responsible official.

The cylinder structure realizes water recycling, reducing the damage to the surrounding ecosystem. In addition to its support function, the structure also serves as a rainwater pipe. When combined with a roof, it will become a rainwater collection system.

“Near-zero energy consumption” is the finishing touch of the design of the bus port. The building’s own energy consumption is reduced by material and structural optimization.

The interior design is people-oriented, for it adopts a variable-frequency and multi-connected air-conditioning system which is highly energy-efficient. The external windows are made of third generation low-E glass, and the port’s new-type fresh air ventilator can keep the heat recovery rate greater than 70 percent, meaning that passengers waiting for a bus will not have to swelter.

The roofs of each basic module are also equipped with solar photovoltaic panels to generate enough electricity for the daily needs of the bus port. The building’s renewable energy utilization rate will exceed 10 percent, and its comprehensive energy saving rate could reach 89.3 percent.

After the new bus port basic public infrastructures will be gradually completed in the starting area of the Pearl Bay. The key constructions in the area from then on will be educational, cultural and sports facilities.

The district has already seen many constructions spring up, such as the Nansha Youth Palace, the Mingzhu Science Park and the First (Nansha) Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University. A comfortable living circle and business zone are being formed.