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 Compilation335 Results : whole building systems
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Guiding Principles for High Performance and Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions
Performance and Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions Guiding...Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions The Councilhttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › guiding_principles_for_sustainable_federal_buildings_and_associated_instructions_february_2016.pdf -
O&M > HVAC - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
These benefits are diminished if the system is not well maintained....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 › 47 › hvac › o-m-impact -
Support Area - Details View - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...abilities. Use signage to educate building occupants regarding sustainably. Provide...abilities. Use signage to educate building occupants regarding sustainably. Provide...strategies and compare materials for that system Prev Next Additional views Supporthttps://sftool.gov › explore › green-workspace › 87 › support-area -
Climate Risk Management - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Reduction and Building Resilience Overview Net Zero Energy Building Transformation...Transformation to Net Zero Energy Buildings Net Zero Energy Building Examples Additional Resourceshttps://sftool.gov › plan › 430 › climate-risk-management -
Web Policies and Important Links - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Websites that are funded or supported in whole or in part by GSA are considered part...that are not funded or supported in whole or in part by GSA are clearly identifiedhttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 566 › web-policies-important-links -
Post Consumer Fiber Paper - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...recycled content as it is to recycle. Whole Building Design Guide | Evaluating and Selecting...of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings (2013).. Reduce your plug load costshttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 201 › post-consumer-fiber-paper -
O&M > Lighting - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...can fade away if the new lighting systems are not well maintained....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 › 39 › lighting › o-m-impact -
Green Procurement - Federal Requirements - Non-Mechanical Heat Transfer Systems - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...category Non-Mechanical Heat Transfer Systems Product Details Details Legal Requirements...Optimization System for Chiller Plants Control Optimization System for Chillerhttps://sftool.gov › greenprocurement › green-products › 24 › hvacmechanical › 126 › non-mechanical-heat-transfer-systems › 0 -
ISWG
Performance Green Building: Lessons Learned about the Building/Occupant Interface...of Federal High Performance Green Buildings Interagency Working Group July 18https://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-case-studies › 13 Judith Heerwagen - EPA Denver Demonstration Project.pdf -
Health - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...post-occupancy research on six federal buildings shows improved well-being in the...strategy appropriately illuminates the building space without subjecting occupantshttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 244 › health -
PowerPoint Presentation
Presentation Sustainable Building Study Using Whole- System and Life-Cycle Thinking...for Sustainable Existing Buildings. Rate the buildings using the LEED EBOM (versionhttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-case-studies › Sustainable Building Study Using Whole-System and Life-Cycle Thinking - JParisi, Nov. 2012.pdf -
Spatial Equity - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...ability to work elsewhere in the building. Mobile work also reduces the time...strategy appropriately illuminates the building space without subjecting occupantshttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 245 › spatial-equity -
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 -
2011 Project Review Powerpoint Presentation
Performance Green Buildings Michael Gartman Rocky Mountain Institute Buildings Practice...Jungclaus Rocky Mountain Institute Buildings Practice Introduction and Contexthttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-case-studies › Deep Energy Savings Using ESPCs.pdf -
Buyer Resources - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...ecolabels Federal Procurement Data System: When documenting contract award, the...provide compliant products and services. System for Awards Management: Contains resourceshttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 653 › buyer-resources -
DoD/Community Zero Waste Innovation
GSA Leased Building 19 Floors / 760 employees ïµ Major Green Building Renovation...ISO 14001 Environmental Management System ïµ Zero Waste to Landfill / Incineratorhttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-policies-strategies › Net Zero Waste ISWG EPA Region 9.pdf -
Occupancy adjusted EUI
...adjusted EUI Influence of Occupancy on Building Energy Use and Use of an Occupancy-Adjusted...occupancy on building energy use and EUI in a “typical†office building, where occupancyhttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-case-studies › 4 - EUI_Findings_Presentation_to_ISWG_011017.pdf -
Electric Vehicles and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...decision making, and help fleet, building, and energy managers select an appropriate...GSA offers a Governmentwide Design/Build & Construction Electric Vehicle Supplyhttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 666 › electric-vehicles-electric-vehicle-supply-equipment -
Mandates / Standards > Submetering - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planted Roof 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 › 90 › submetering › relevant-mandates-and-rating-systems -
Financial > Submetering - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planted Roof 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 › 94 › submetering › financial-impact
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