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.
