ENVIRONMENT:

INTEGER's environmental strategy

INTEGER Environment

Buildings are responsible for almost 50% of emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Through reducing the damage that buildings do to the environment, we can therefore have a significant impact on conservation as a whole.

INTEGER's Environmental Strategy

Research into the way in which a building can be made more "green" has been at the heart of INTEGER's thinking. Some of the ways in which we can minimise the impact of a building on the environment are listed below:

•Good insulation - "superinsulation" to external envelope, walls, windows, blinds etc
 
•Passive solar orientation, solar spaces, use of thermal mass etc
 
•Active solar - solar panels for water heating, photovoltaics for electricity
 
•Low energy systems - energy efficient lighting and white goods
 
•Water conservation - water efficient taps, shower heads and toilets, grey water recycling
 
•Materials - use of sustainable, recycled and low embodied energy materials
 
•Waste management - separation and recycling of domestic waste
 
•Landscape - rainwater collection, reed bed filtration, composting facilities, use of planting to enhance external environment

The above are examples of ways in which the impact of buildings on the environment can be reduced. These methods have all been used in INTEGER projects in the UK and beyond. Each project has different requirements, and therefore each solution must be appropriated to the particular situation. INTEGER are constantly researching new and innovative ways in which the environmental impact of buildings can be reduced.