In Hong Kong, buildings account for over 90% and 60% of the citywide electricity consumption and carbon emissions respectively. Over the years, we are fully committed to adopting innovative sustainable and smart building design to enhance the efficient use of energy, material and land resources.
Passive design approach uses building architecture to minimise energy consumption and improve thermal comfort. Suitable measures in planning, disposition, orientation, building form and material selection are adopted to optimise interaction with the local microclimate. Our considerations aspects include:
Mitigating heat island effect or elevated temperature
Air ventilation around buildings
Daylighting
Natural ventilation
Passive cooling
Reducing heat gain through building envelope
Active design approach uses electrical and mechanical systems to create and maintain comfortable conditions. These installations will facilitate energy efficiency, conservation of water, and improve indoor environmental quality. Our considerations aspects include:
Heating, water efficient devices, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
Lighting systems
Renewable energy technologies
The selection of sustainable construction methods and materials is another important aspect of sustainable buildings. Common practices include prefabrication, pollution control during construction and the application of reduce, reuse and recycle (3R) principles to manage construction and demolition waste. In terms of sustainable materials, recycled materials and timber from well-managed sources are widely adopted in ArchSD’s new building projects.
The accessibility and quality of public spaces is highly valued in Hong Kong as a cosmopolitan city. We strive to incorporate social considerations in many of our buildings by enabling group activities and communication of community members, in order to create a harmonious atmosphere within the city.