In accordance with the agreement concluded between the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Mongolia, the Green Housing Project is being implemented with the objective of redeveloping ger areas.
Under the project, the construction of green housing complexes for 5,000 households is planned. In the first phase, construction works commenced in July 2023 on a 5.6-hectare site where land clearance had been completed in the Bayankhoshuu and Shar Khad subcenters, with a total of 800 housing units planned.
Of these, the first 110 housing units were inspected by the State Commission and accepted based on the fulfillment of assigned requirements, and the official approval for commissioning was certified on November 11.
This article presents the architectural planning and key design features of the Green Housing Project, which meets the requirements for EDGE certification and represents Ulaanbaatar’s first EDGE-certified green housing development.
P. Naranbaatar, Project Manager and Engineer responsible for the 110-unit housing under the Ulaanbaatar Green Housing Project, stated:
“Numerous innovative solutions were implemented in this project to meet green building standards.”
This project is described as the very first green housing development. Which green building certifications and standards does it comply with?
This project represents the first green housing development being constructed in Ulaanbaatar. As it is being implemented with financing from the Asian Development Bank, there was a requirement to construct the buildings in compliance with green building standards. Meeting these standards also creates favorable conditions for attracting financing for subsequent project phases.
Therefore, among internationally recognized green building certification systems, we selected the EDGE 3.0 rating system, as it is the most suitable for Mongolia’s climate and local conditions, and constructed the buildings in accordance with this standard.
By meeting the EDGE certification criteria, the 110-unit housing project in the Bayankhoshuu subcenter obtained the preliminary design-stage EDGE certification. Specifically, the building achieved a reduction of 34% in energy consumption, 20% in water consumption, and 21% in embodied carbon in materials.
What solutions were planned to achieve a 20% reduction in water consumption?
To implement water efficiency measures, a greywater treatment and recycling system was installed in the basement level of the four residential blocks comprising the 110 housing units. This system treats wastewater from washbasins and reuses it for toilet flushing.
If, for any reason, the greywater system is not operational, the design allows for water to be supplied directly from the central water network. In addition, water-efficient fixtures and equipment have been selected and installed throughout the buildings.
What type of insulation materials were selected?
In terms of insulation, a cellular glass insulation material, manufactured through glass processing and being used in Mongolia for the first time, was selected. This material has a very low thermal conductivity coefficient, which significantly reduces heat loss from the building interior.
This material had not previously been used in Mongolia; however, through this project, it is being introduced for the first time in both pilot use and practical application. It is planned to use this insulation material in all of the 800 housing units currently under construction.
Furthermore, the cellular glass insulation is combined with mineral wool insulation, which further enhances the thermal performance of the building envelope. As a result, overall heat loss from the buildings has been significantly reduced.
In addition, the buildings are equipped with triple-glazed windows, with the outermost pane featuring a Low-E coating, which helps prevent heat loss to the exterior.
Since significant carbon emissions occur during the transportation of construction materials, how were materials selected?
When selecting construction materials, we prioritize factors such as the manufacturing process, technical specifications, environmental impact, and especially carbon emissions. These aspects are assessed using specialized calculation software in line with international standards, which allows us to conduct a life-cycle assessment for each material.
The stages that contribute most to carbon emissions are production and transportation. The farther a material is transported, the greater its overall carbon footprint. Therefore, we aim to source materials as locally as possible.
In Mongolia, the main domestically produced construction materials include cement, concrete, and various types of blocks and lightweight blocks, which we procure from local manufacturers. Some insulation materials and specialized construction products, however, are imported.
There are many domestic insulation material producers. Why was cellular glass insulation chosen?
Currently, most buildings constructed in Mongolia use materials such as polystyrene foam, fiberglass, mineral wool, and aluminum façade systems. Calculations have shown that many of the insulation materials currently in use do not meet the required thermal performance standards in terms of their thermal transmittance values (U, λ).
Moreover, these materials are considered to emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide during their production processes, making it difficult to achieve the targeted reduction in total building carbon emissions. Therefore, to meet the required performance criteria, we studied international experience and technologies and selected insulation materials accordingly.
All project buildings are limited to five stories. From a housing policy perspective, would higher-rise buildings have been more efficient? What was the reason for this decision?
All buildings under our project are planned to be no more than five stories high. Initially, the building height was defined in the project’s feasibility study, and it also complies with the allowable building heights specified in the area’s detailed urban development plan. The project planning was carried out in alignment with these regulations.
In addition, green housing is intended to be affordable, have lower population density, and provide a more comfortable living environment for residents. By adopting a low-rise, elevator-free design, the efficiency of usable floor area is improved and the cost per square meter is reduced.
As a result of these design decisions, the operating and maintenance costs of the buildings are approximately 20% lower compared to conventional residential buildings.
How much renewable energy will the rooftop solar panels generate?
An essential component of green building design is the integration of renewable energy solutions. Within the scope of the project, it was estimated that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with a capacity of 20–30 kW can be installed on the rooftops of the buildings. The electricity generated will be used directly to meet the buildings’ energy demand, while any surplus will be fed into Ulaanbaatar’s electricity distribution network.
Since solar PV panels generate electricity only during daytime, the energy produced is primarily consumed on-site at that moment. It will mainly serve common areas and shared facilities, and, when necessary, can be directly supplied to households.
The project also integrates an energy storage system in conjunction with the solar PV panels. The substation that supplies electricity to the commissioned 110 housing units will be equipped with battery storage.
This storage system charges the batteries during the day using solar energy and electricity from the main grid, and then releases the stored energy during peak evening loads. This ensures a stable electricity supply for the buildings.
Construction method:
The buildings are constructed using a fully cast-in-place concrete frame with block infill. As significant carbon emissions occur during concrete and steel production, the use of block infill reduces the embodied energy in materials. In essence, the buildings utilize a frame structure, while infill materials have relatively low embodied energy.
Design solutions for south-facing glazed façades:
Block A: A four-story greenhouse structure with a metal frame is planned on the south side of the building. This greenhouse is connected to the main building via public corridors on each floor, allowing residents to engage in urban farming and greenhouse activities.
Block D: Equipped with a Trombe wall, which captures solar heat and uses it to warm the communal corridors and shared areas of the building.
“Project Architectural Planning and Key Design Features”
In the first phase of the project, it is planned to develop an eco-friendly green housing complex for 220 households, tailored to residents’ income levels, on a total area of 2.8 hectares in the Bayankhoshuu and Shar Khad subcenters. The first 110 housing units have already been commissioned.
The apartments are available in two-, three-, and four-bedroom layouts, with interior designs planned to ensure efficient use of space. On the first floor, there are specially equipped universal-design units intended for persons with disabilities.
Double-Story Greenhouse:
To enhance residents’ quality of life, improve food supply, and create new job opportunities, a double-story greenhouse building has been planned. The greenhouse covers a total area of 320 m² and is designed for three-season use.
A thermal mass wall is planned along the back of the greenhouse to store heat, allowing the indoor environment to be efficiently heated during cooler seasons. The front façade is covered with double-layered polycarbonate panels, reducing heat loss.
Planting will be organized on shelving systems, and the irrigation system is designed to utilize both potable water and collected rainwater from the rooftop.
Each household can monitor its water and electricity consumption through meter panels installed in the common corridors.
The rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system has a generation capacity of up to 20–30 kW.
A system has been installed in the basement to treat and reuse wastewater from washbasins for toilet flushing, achieving a 20% reduction in water consumption.
A Trombe wall has been designed as a passive system to capture and store solar heat, providing heating for the indoor environment and warming the communal corridors.
Facade Color Selection:
The facade colors were inspired by the natural phenomena of sunrise in Nuga, with base colors of gray, green, yellow, orange, and dark gray defining the exterior appearance of the “Green Housing” project.
Additionally, the design incorporates patterns symbolizing joy and prosperity, representing the revitalization of nature by the nourishing rain from the sky, as well as boundless freedom, abundance, and infinity.
Source: https: https://www.barilga.mn/n/35085?