Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
Although Boulder Park was not subject to local certification requirements, XISUI Design and Guanli Intelligent Technology adopted measures to limit embodied carbon. By using 3D concrete printing — an additive rather than subtractive method — the project minimises material waste. Traditional curved-surface casting often requires custom formwork and produces significant offcuts, whereas additive manufacturing deposits only the material needed.
The concrete mix used in Boulder Park (Guanli’s GL-0712 formulation, derived from the company’s GL-0612 base mix) incorporates low-carbon substitutes, including fly ash and recycled aggregates, reducing reliance on virgin cement and supporting more efficient resource use.
Operational Emissions / Energy
The park’s water play elements are designed for efficiency. Press-to-draw devices operate manually, using atmospheric pressure and one-way valves, while programmed electric pumps control the fountains. All systems draw from the on-site stream, with full water recirculation. This reduces both energy demand and potable water consumption, lowering operational impacts over the long term.
Afterlife
The 3D-printed elements achieve a compressive strength of 50–60 MPa, ensuring durability throughout their intended lifespan. At end-of-life, these components can be crushed and reused as recycled aggregate with strong performance qualities. Moreover, the “boulders” were factory-fabricated as modules with pre-formed connection points, making it possible to dismantle and reassemble them if required.
While designed as permanent features, the modular approach makes future reuse or relocation possible, aligning with circular design principles.
