SAVINGS EXTEND TO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

The same approach is also being applied to commercial developments.

One example is the redeveloped Shaw Tower at Beach Road, where features to make the building easier to maintain were incorporated into the design.

An integrated track allows a single crane to clean or replace external glass panels, while permanent access systems such as cat ladders allow cooling towers to be serviced without erecting temporary scaffolding.

Mr Darren Burrows, senior associate director for building services at engineering consultancy Beca – which worked on the project's building services and sustainability design – said such features are especially important because many building systems require regular servicing throughout their lifespan.

"There's lots of moving parts and maintenance activities that we need to carry out, whether it's weekly, monthly or annually,” he said.

"The components can be either small but in tight spaces, or they can be large components that we need to consider how we can remove them from a building both safely and effectively, and in a cost-effective manner."