Sunway EcoSphere: The FET-Annex Net Zero Carbon Building
Overview
Sunway EcoSphere marks a transformative leap in sustainable campus development, representing Sunway University’s first Net Zero Carbon Building and a model for sustainable and effective learning environments. As part of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), EcoSphere embodies Sunway’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2030, in alignment with the Sunway Group’s Net Zero 2050 goal and Malaysia’s National Energy Transition Roadmap.
A Living Laboratory for Sustainability
Standing seven storeys tall and spanning 60,000 square feet, EcoSphere is not merely a structure—it is a living lab for research, education, and innovation. It integrates advanced passive technologies, green materials, and AI-driven energy management to minimize emissions across its full life cycle. Designed for real-world impact, it houses:
- A chemical engineering pilot plant
- Civil, robotics, and cybersecurity labs
- Architecture studios and classrooms
Engineering a Net Zero Future
The initiative operates through 12 interdisciplinary Work Packages uniting faculty experts, students, and industry leaders. Key areas include:
- Low-carbon concrete & waste upcycling
- Solar PV and battery energy systems
- AI-based Building Energy Management System (BEMS)
- Carbon-capturing paints & heat-reflective coatings
- Digital twin & carbon dashboard analytics
Together, these innovations target true life-cycle carbon neutrality within 18 years, positioning Ď㽶ĘÓƵas a regional benchmark for tropical Net Zero construction.
Collaboration that Powers Change
EcoSphere thrives on strong partnerships:
- Academic collaborations: FET, FASS, IGSC, and Lancaster University (UK)
- Industry partners: Daikin Malaysia, Johnson Controls, Nippon Paint, and others
This synergy bridges research and real-world implementation, accelerating Malaysia’s pathway toward sustainable construction and education.
Milestones and Global Recognition
- 2024–2026: From groundbreaking to full operational launch by June 2026
- Beyond 2026: Serves as blueprint for Sunway’s Net Zero Campus 2030 vision
- Awards:
- Silver Medal at Brunei Crown Prince CIPTA Award 2025
- Excellence Award at Net Zero Tech International Contest, Taiwan
Impact Beyond Buildings
EcoSphere reduces embodied carbon by over 40%, cuts energy use by up to 50%, and fosters a new generation of sustainability-focused professionals. It reflects Sunway’s belief that Net Zero is not an aspiration—it is achievable through collaboration, innovation, and education.
Dive deeper into Sunway EcoSphere’s innovations, technologies, and real-world applications in the full report below.
Net Zero Carbon Building
Sunway University’s Net Zero (Sun-U NZ) Carbon Building initiative is a bold step toward accelerating decarbonisation in tropical climates. At its heart is a real, under-construction seven-storey academic building that serves as a living demonstration of what a sustainable future can look like.
From the ground up, the building is designed with low-carbon materials and practices—using green concrete, recycling construction waste, and incorporating sustainable fit-out materials and carbon-capturing finishes. These choices alone are expected to achieve a 38% reduction in embodied carbon, proving that construction itself can be reimagined to reduce environmental impact.
Operational efficiency is just as important. By combining heat-reflective paint, district cooling systems, energy recovery ventilators, and a solar PV microgrid, the building is projected to reach a negative operational carbon status of –71.5 t CO₂e per year. At this pace, it is on track to achieve full lifecycle Net Zero within 18 years.
Technology plays a central role in bringing the building to life. Equipped with real-time IoT monitoring, an interactive energy dashboard, a BIM-based digital twin model, and AI optimisation tools, the building can dynamically manage emissions, predict performance, and engage multiple stakeholders through user-friendly interfaces.
What sets Sun-U NZ apart from many other net zero buildings worldwide is its focus on integrated technology rather than architecture alone. This approach makes the model scalable and replicable for both existing (brownfield) and new (greenfield) projects across Southeast Asia.
The initiative has also drawn strong industry support. Key partners include Daikin Malaysia (heat recovery air-conditioning systems), Johnson Controls Malaysia (building automation), Nippon Paint Malaysia (heat-reflective and carbon-absorbing paints), MDC (green ready-mix concrete), and OLEOLOGY Asia (rainwater harvesting systems). Their collaboration underscores the power of partnerships in creating sustainable, future-ready solutions.
Brunei Crown Prince CIPTA Award 2025
The vision behind Sunway University’s Net Zero Carbon Building is already inspiring real-world impact. At the Brunei Crown Prince CIPTA Award 2025, students from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) clinched the Silver Medal and 1st Special Mention Award in the ASEAN New Invention & Innovation Category.
The winning team—Deaberniswarar Sharmaa A/L Ravindran, Andrea Tan Chiao Pin, and Ir. Lewis Tee Jen Looi—was mentored by Prof. Ir Denny Ng Kok Sum, Prof. Angela Lee Siew Hoong, Ts. Dr Nicole Fu Chew Xiang, and Ts. Wincen Foong Hock Kuen. Their project, inspired by the design and sustainability principles of Sunway’s Net Zero Carbon FET-LABS Annex Building, highlighted how “Green Innovations” can move from campus to community.
This achievement not only celebrates student creativity but also shows how the Net Zero Carbon Building serves as a springboard for innovation, empowering the next generation to turn sustainable ideas into award-winning solutions.
Net Zero Tech International Contest
The ripple effect of Sunway University’s Net Zero Carbon Building continues to inspire innovation beyond Malaysia. At the prestigious Net Zero Tech International Contest in Taiwan—organised by National Taiwan University, TECO Technology Foundation, and Taiwan’s Ministry of Education—Sunway University’s School of Engineering and Technology (SET) and School of Arts (SOA) team won the coveted Excellence Award.
Competing against 64 teams from 13 countries, Sunway stood out as the only Malaysian team to reach the Top 20 Finalists. Their project, EcoSphere: A Model for Sustainable and Effective Learning Environment, drew inspiration from the sustainable design principles embedded in Sunway’s Net Zero Carbon Building. By translating these concepts into a holistic model for future-ready learning spaces, the team showed how sustainability can shape not only infrastructure but also education and community impact.
Led by advisors Prof. Ir Denny Ng Kok Sum, Prof. Angela Lee Siew Hoong, Dr Nicole Fu Chew Xiang, and Ts. Wincen Foong Hock Kuen, the project brought together students across PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Diploma programmes. Their success highlights how the Net Zero Carbon Building is more than a campus landmark—it is a catalyst for creativity, collaboration, and global recognition.