Whole Building Systems Thinking
Unlike conventional design processes, where components and disciplines are treated separately, sustainable design requires an evaluation of whole systems. When retrofitting an office, consider the space as a whole. This means thinking not only about the lighting, the flooring, the windows, the HVAC system, and the furniture as separate components, but also thinking about the relationship between each of these components and the ways that those relationships create the space, and how that fits with sustainability goals.
Check out the Whole Building Systems section in Explore for information on building systems, their relationship to one another, and the integrated design team necessary to reach sustainability goals.
For example, if a project’s goal is to save energy from lighting and improve occupant comfort, it should think not only about the type of lighting fixtures needed, but also how the space will be used by the occupants, the amount of sunlight streaming through the windows at different times of year, how that light gets bounced into the space, how the light levels are controlled, and even the colors of the walls. By thinking holistically about the lighting system, rather than simply about the lighting components, a more comfortable, efficient, healthy and productive space can be created. In addition, the project “system” is nested within larger systems, such as a watershed, an air shed, a forest, a neighborhood and city, and so forth; these larger systems should also be considered.
Procure Products
in the Green Procurement Compilation58 Results : Whole Building Systems Thinking
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Recycling Checklist - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Recycling Checklist Procuring products? Think about minimizing waste before you buy...materials. Whole Building Design Guide | Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) Whole Buildinghttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 617 › recycling-checklist -
Child Care Centers - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Child Care Centers Components Whole Building Classroom Toilet Area Kitchen Laundry...HVAC Location Parking Lot Entrances Building Materials and Finishes Service/Supporthttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 502 › child-care-centers -
Materials & Resources - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...construction and day-to-day operations of buildings, many materials and resources are...disposed of impact the environment. Building managers and operators should followhttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 43 › materials-resources -
Conducting a Life Cycle Assessment - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 401 › conducting-life-cycle-assessment -
LCA Example - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 629 › lca -
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 402 › environmental-product-declarations-epds -
LCA Key Terms - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 630 › lca-key-terms -
Vendor Resources - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...reduce the embodied carbon in its building design and construction projects....Compliance with Environmental Management Systems 52.223-20 Aerosols 52.223-21 Foamshttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 652 › vendor-resources -
Financial > Water - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Roof Submetering System Overview Integrative Design Process System Impacts Resources...O&M System Bundling Mandates / Standards Resources / Case Studies System Impactshttps://sftool.gov › explore › green-building › section › 42 › water › financial-impact -
Project Manager - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 585 › project-manager -
Contracting Officer/ Procurement Professional - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 587 › contracting-officer-procurement-professional -
Project Executive - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 584 › project-executive -
Project Team - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 586 › project-team -
recommendations_on_sustainable_landscaping_practices.pdf
...2009 focuses on the area beyond the building footprint and any built landscape...million acres of land 2 and 429,000 building assets, comprising 3.34 billion squarehttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › recommendations_on_sustainable_landscaping_practices.pdf -
Site Map - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...and Design Building Decarbonization Building Selection Building Energy Storage...Storage Buildings & Health Circadian Light Climate Terms and Tools DOE Greenspacehttps://sftool.gov › home › sitemap -
Biophilia and Design - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Office of Federal High-Performance Buildings Table of Contents Origins Theoretical...climate change and its impact on natural systems. This situation has created a growinghttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 580 › biophilia-design -
Project Guidance - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Renovation, and Construction Building Systems Upgrades Building Operations and Maintenance...Renovation, and Construction Building Systems Upgrades Building Operations and Maintenancehttps://sftool.gov › plan › 263 › project-guidance -
Project Manager > User Guides - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...affecting Federal buildings Find regulatory content applicable to systems projects Reference...Options (hover) Explore > Building Systems > System Bundling Plan > Cost-Effectivehttps://sftool.gov › green-guidance › for › 4 › project-manager -
- GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Agency Sustainable Building Practices Federal agencies have discovered many...effective practices to make their buildings sustainable. Many share policieshttps://sftool.gov › learn › 10129 › agency-practices -
Procurement Professional > User Guides - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...purchasing goods and services for ongoing building operations that are of the best value...Cycle Thinking as a decision-making tool Compare materials and systems acrosshttps://sftool.gov › green-guidance › for › 2 › procurement-professional
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