SIEEB, Environmental research center at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

SIEEB is a 40-metre-tall building of ten floors above ground and two below, with about 20,000 square metres of floor area, on the Tsinghua University campus. Its plan is C-shaped, opening to the south; the south facade steps back as it rises and uses a glass curtain wall and sunshading, while the north side is a solid wall of blue stone.

The building was completed in 2006 as a result of Chinese-Italian cooperation on the Tsinghua University campus. This partnership brought international expertise in sustainable construction to China.

The building serves as a place where students and researchers work together on environmental protection and energy efficiency. You can see people engaged daily in developing practical solutions for sustainable technologies.

The building is the department building of Tsinghua University's School of Environment, so access follows university practice rather than that of a public attraction; enquire on site before entering. Its C-shaped plan opens to the south, so the glazed, stepped south side and the solid blue stone north wall are best compared from outside, walking around the block.

Photovoltaic panels cover the roof and terraced areas, generating electricity while also providing shade to outdoor spaces. This system demonstrates how energy production and practical shading can work together intelligently.