Whole Building Approach
The process of creating a high-performance building is different from the conventional design/build process. The design team will get the best results by using the whole building design process.
Whole building design considers all building components and systems during the design phase and integrates them to work together. Because all the systems are interrelated, it is essential that the design team be fully integrated from the beginning of the process. The building design team can include architects, engineers, building occupants and owners, and specialists in areas such as indoor air quality, materials, and energy use. The whole building philosophy considers site, energy, materials, indoor air quality, acoustics, natural resources, and their interrelation.
Whole building design takes into consideration the building structure and systems and examines how these systems work best together to save energy and reduce environmental impact. For example, a building that uses extensive daylighting techniques will reduce the amount of heat given off by lighting fixtures, thus allowing for a smaller air conditioning system.
The whole building design approach brings together elements like building design, energy efficiency, and solar technologies to boost energy savings and make the most of all the building's elements. Benefits can include:
- Reduced energy use, by 50 percent or more
- Lower maintenance and capital costs
- Less environmental impact
- Lower associated greenhouse gas emissions
- Enhanced occupant comfort and health
- Higher employee productivity.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has facilitated the creation of the Commercial Building Energy Alliances (CBEAs), which are designed to minimize the energy and environmental impact of commercial buildings and reduce energy costs for these buildings.