Building code standards are changing and it is becoming standard practice to build an energy-efficient building. However, a building that is more advanced can be your competitive advantage.
Your architect and engineers will only create buildings that are standard practice. To create buildings that are beyond compliance level requires additional fees. If you have already hired them without stating the performance requirements for the building then it is not too late to go back and amend their contract.
Without a performance requirement, your design team will not build in enough time to create a high-performance integrated design. The architects will design a functional building that looks modern and the engineers will design a heating and cooling system that will make the building more comfortable. The systems could be of mediocre performance or high performance, but still the design relies on machination and automation for the building to perform. Essentially the building is dead, but operates on life support.
If you want a high-performance building that is passive, integration is necessary. Each element of the design has an effect on the performance of the other. The windows have to be large enough to accommodate a view, yet they cannot be too large or the building performance will suffer. Sunlight and artificial lighting can produce glare that create discomfort and optical stress. Interior environments that are painted with light colours bounce the light around the space and reduce the lighting power that is required, hence reducing the heat produced by the lighting, and possibly the air conditioning load. An integrative design approach explores way to even allow the structural systems to enhance the performance of the building.
As for who can play the role of facilitator, it is essential that you have someone that is independent of the design team that is specifically training in sustainable design.
We can facilitate integrative energy-efficient building design conversations so that you get exceptional results. We are trained in social technologies, eg. Theory U from MIT, and other idea generation and brainstorming facilitation techniques.
You can’t just follow a checklist either. We have all been disappointed in buildings that were supposed to be energy-efficient but just don’t measure up. Don’t get caught.
Implementation across all disciplines is key.
So, either continue getting a standard code-compliant building, (or a building that is supposed to perform better, but doesn’t) or hire us. We have a wealth of knowledge about proven energy-efficiency strategies that will work to reduce your operational costs.
Energy costs are increasing and soon carbon will be measured and taxed. What may seem to be an energy-efficient building may not be so when carbon is accounted for. We also know which retrofit strategies impact carbon and at what cost, so you can plan a retrofit of your real estate portfolio. We all know that energy is just going to cost more and more, and we want to help you get ahead instead of falling behind.
Don’t wait for the bills to come in from that new facility to make you wonder how you could have done better. Start creating energy-efficient building by calling us today!