Environment

Environmentally Friendly Buildings

Environmental sustainability is an essential underlying factor in the design and construction of buildings at idec. Not only does it reduce the energy requirements of the building, but it can also lead to substantial economic savings for the client. Reductions in waste output, energy consumption and pollution, as well as the use of renewable building resources are key components in the design and construction of our environmentally sustainable buildings. Using tapered columns and rafters reduces the amount of steel required to frame our buildings. The greater the span, or the higher the building, the greater the saving. It is common to save at least 15-20% of the structural steel requirements using this system. When one considers the large amount of energy required to make one tonne of steel, then this saving is significant. idec designs industrial and commercial buildings to limit the need of electrical energy through the as the effective use of translucent sheeting in the roof and walls to maximise the natural light available, and the reduced need of air conditioning through effective use of external louvres, insulation and wall louvres for ventilation flow. idec chooses fixtures that will improve the sustainability of the building, such as energy efficient lighting and water efficient toilets. Where idec is designing the complete project then the exterior space is also important using a landscape rich in trees and low water need plants.