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 Compilation53 Results : Whole Building Systems Thinking
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Systems Thinking - 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 › 250 › systems-thinking -
Integrative Design Process > Planted Roof - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...the table to think about and integrate the planted roof system with the architecture...architecture and other systems of the buildings....Waste Submetering System Overview Integrative Design Process System Impacts Resources...Resources Human Behavior Financial O&M System Bundling Mandates / Standards Resourceshttps://sftool.gov › explore › green-building › section › 77 › planted-roof › integrative-design-process -
LCA in Building Standards and Certification Systems - 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 › 628 › lca-building-standards-certification-systems -
Integrative Design Process > HVAC - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...integrative design process understands that buildings, their components, and their context...representative of the broader whole-building picture....Roof Submetering System Overview Integrative Design Process System Impacts Resources...Resources Human Behavior Financial O&M System Bundling Mandates / Standards Resourceshttps://sftool.gov › explore › green-building › section › 10 › hvac › integrative-design-process -
What is Sustainability? - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...designing, constructing and operating buildings and facilities must be identified...Topics Benchmarking To benchmark a building is to measure and rate the performancehttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 41 › sustainability -
Integrative Design Process > IEQ - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...integrative design process understands that buildings, their components, and their context...Roof Submetering System Overview Integrative Design Process System Impacts Resources...Resources Human Behavior Financial O&M System Bundling Mandates / Standards Resourceshttps://sftool.gov › explore › green-building › section › 31 › ieq › integrative-design-process -
Integrative Design Process - 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 › 261 › integrative-design-process -
Buildings and Health - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...Buildings and Health What is Health? Table of Contents Site Selection and Construction...Health & Wellness Standards and Rating Systems Resources Case Studies Health, ashttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 576 › buildings-health -
System Overview > HVAC - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are responsible for providing thermal...comfort and fresh air to building occupants. HVAC systems are often the source of...Roof Submetering System Overview Integrative Design Process System Impacts Resources...O&M System Bundling Mandates / Standards Resources / Case Studies System Overviewhttps://sftool.gov › explore › green-building › section › 9 › hvac › system-overview -
Best Practices & Case Studies - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...make the case for high-performance building innovations is to point to others'...employed. Return to Agency Green Building Practices Resources government widehttps://sftool.gov › learn › agency-practices › 446 › iswg-case-studies -
Operational Carbon - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Contents Building Decarbonization Embodied Carbon Operational Carbon Building Operational...Pollution-Free Electricity (CPFE) Building Electrification Building and Grid Integrationhttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 659 › operational-carbon -
Planning to build green - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...planning and engagement activities: Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Life...Tools LCA Tools for Buildings Total Workplace Scorecard Building Certification Standardshttps://sftool.gov › plan -
Building Operations and Maintenance Services - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Renovation, and Construction Building Systems Upgrades Building Operations and Maintenance...Maintenance Services Building Operations and Maintenance Services Table of Contentshttps://sftool.gov › plan › 268 › building-operations-maintenance-services -
Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings Total Workplace Scorecard Looking...relating to high-performance sustainable buildings, as well as energy, water and environmentalhttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 631 › guiding-principles-sustainable-federal-buildings -
System Bundling > IEQ - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Roof Submetering System Overview Integrative Design Process System Impacts Resources...O&M System Bundling Mandates / Standards Resources / Case Studies System Bundlinghttps://sftool.gov › explore › green-building › section › 33 › ieq › system-bundling -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
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