When we admire a beautiful urban garden, we rarely think about the engineering systems that make it sustainable.

At THE ILISIAN, the second floor holds special significance for SKEMMA ENGINEERS. It accommodates the building’s main HVAC installations, along with a substantial part of its MEP infrastructure.

Within the open outdoor areas of the same level, an impressive landscaped garden has been created, featuring walking paths and sports facilities, designed by AETER Architects and Simon Rackham Landscape Architects.

What keeps this landscape thriving, however, is an innovative engineering solution operating behind the scenes: We designed the irrigation system to operate primarily with reclaimed water. Backwash water from the swimming pool filtration systems is collected and treated, while condensate from air-conditioning units serving a large part of the building is also recovered and saved. Together, these water sources are supplied through a pumping system to irrigate the landscaped areas.

Our calculations show that more than 70% of the annual irrigation demand for all landscaped areas within the building and its surrounding grounds will be met using reclaimed water, significantly reducing potable water consumption and supporting the building’s sustainable operation.

At SKEMMA ENGINEERS, we believe that the true value of engineering lies in the solutions that may go unseen, yet make a real difference—for the project, its people and the environment.