Ecologically Sustainable Design Policy

WD Architects specialises in environmentally sustainable design and is committed to delivering design excellence in the following ways:

land use and ecology

• Avoiding development on ecologically valuable land.
• Minimising development impacts by designing with a minimal footprint.
• Blurring the boundaries between architecture, landscape and infrastructure that positively enhance the natural environment.
• Reusing land that is contaminated or has been previously developed.
• Maintaining and enhancing the ecological integrity and value of a site.

transport

• Encouraging the selection of sites that are accessible to public transport and infrastructure.
• Reducing on site car parking.
• Designing for cyclist and exercise facilities
• Designing for fuel efficient and alternate fuel transport, and carpooling facilities.

materials

• Reducing the volume of construction materials used.
• Designing for disassembly and future reuse.
• Encouraging building and material reuse, and recycled content in new materials.
• Specify only certified sustainable timber.
• Eliminating use of PVC and other toxic materials.
• Delivering shell and core in speculative developments.
• Designing on site recycled waste storage.
• Specifying local, low embodied energy materials.
• Avoiding toxic high emission materials.
• Considering the life cycle impacts of materials.
• Design for future modifications or customisation of buildings.

water

• Designing for the on site collection and storage of potable water.
• Designing no or low irrigation landscapes.
• Designing for the storage and reuse of fire system water
• Employing grey and black water recycling systems and technologies
• Reducing or eliminating the use of water for heat rejection systems.
• Employing water metering and monitoring.
• Reducing peak storm water inundation with vegetation and including collection and storage for reuse on site.

energy

• Reducing and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reducing peak energy demand with on site generation.
• Employing alternative energy generation and usage.
• Providing artificial lighting with controlled zoning and energy consumption
• Providing monitoring and metering of energy consumption.
• Maximising passive design through solar penetration and control, the use of thermal mass and insulation, and vegetation cover.

indoor air quality

• Maximising the design of naturally ventilated space.
• Designing for maximum thermal comfort with user control.
• Minimising dependence on air conditioning and mechanical ventilation.
• Avoiding the specification and introduction of toxic materials in internal fitouts.
• Designing for daylighting and external views, while controlling daylight glare.

building management

• Commissioning and tuning developments so they operate to their optimum design potential.
• Employing building users guides for owners and users to achieve optimum building performance.
• Managing the construction process to minimise the amount of construction waste going to disposal.

emissions

• Reducing the use of refrigerants that contribute to ozone depletion and global warming.
• Reduce the discharge of storm water and sewerage to off site facilities by employing recycling systems and technologies.
• Reduce light pollution that disrupts surrounding ecosystems.

innovation

• Designing with innovative strategies and technologies that reduce the environmental impact of building developments.

WD Architects takes a holistic approach to its work by striving towards cradle-to-cradle systems and specifications, energy- and resource-efficient outcomes and actively advocates and promotes solutions that minimise the impact of the built environment on natural environment.