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 Compilation67 Results : Whole Building Systems Thinking
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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 -
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 -
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 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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Facility Manager > User Guides - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...the following responsibilities: I. Building & Grounds Management II. Space Management...optimizing assets Maintaining building systems and exterior surroundings Ensuringhttps://sftool.gov › green-guidance › for › 1 › facility-manager -
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 -
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...described as the conditions inside the building. It includes air quality, but also...is sufficient space for occupants. Building managers and operators can increasehttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 1 › indoor-environmental-quality-ieq -
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 -
Policies & Strategies - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...policies and strategies covering the whole government or entire agencies, services...high-performance buildings. Return to Agency Green Building Practices Resourceshttps://sftool.gov › learn › agency-practices › 444 › iswg-policies-strategies -
Mandates / Standards > HVAC - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
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 › 13 › hvac › relevant-mandates-and-rating-systems -
Federal Requirements - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research...for excerpts relevant to Federal buildings at DOE or view full text at GPO.govhttps://sftool.gov › learn › 2 › federal-requirements -
Green Teams - 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 › 408 › green-teams -
Helpful Tools - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Sustainable Workspaces and Whole Building Systems. Green Procurement Compilation...for approximately 44% of commercial building energy use.Source: U.S. Energy Informationhttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 574 › helpful-tools
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