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 Compilation315 Results : whole building systems
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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 -
Challenges in Implementing an Agency-wide Advanced Metering System: IT Security and Support Needs
Implementing an Agency-wide Advanced Metering System: IT Security and Support Needs Challenges...Implementing an Agency-wide Advanced Metering System: IT Security and Support Needs Interagencyhttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-policies-strategies › 1 - GSA_Challenges in Implementing an Agency-wide Advanced Metering System- IT Security and Support Needs_v2 1.12.17.pdf -
Mandates / Standards > Solid Waste - 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 › 65 › solid-waste › relevant-mandates-and-rating-systems -
Stories - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Minor Wisdom US Court of Appeals Building in New Orleans, LA The John Minor...Wisdom United States Court of Appeals Building in New Orleans is a great examplehttps://sftool.gov › apply › stories -
Leasing Specialist > User Guides - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings Explore federal requirements as they...they pertain to specific system upgrades, such as lighting or water View languagehttps://sftool.gov › green-guidance › for › 3 › leasing-specialist -
Resources / Case Studies > 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 › 91 › submetering › resources-and-case-studies -
Financial > HVAC - 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 › 46 › hvac › financial-impact -
Financial > Planted Roof - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Waste 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 › 84 › planted-roof › financial-impact -
Human Behavior > Planted Roof - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Waste 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 › 83 › planted-roof › human-impact -
Sustainable Response to COVID-19 - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Guide is the product of GSA's Green Building Advisory Committee (GBAC) Sustainable...COVID-19 Task Group. The decision guide builds on existing guidance to enhance sustainabilityhttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 625 › sustainable-response-covid-19 -
Conducting a Life Cycle Assessment - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process...Assessment and Buildings LCA in Building Standards and Certification Systems LCA Examplehttps://sftool.gov › plan › 401 › conducting-life-cycle-assessment -
Sustainability Topics - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...described as the conditions inside the building. It includes air quality, but also...designing, constructing and operating buildings and facilities must be identifiedhttps://sftool.gov › learn › 1 › sustainability-topics -
Procurement Professional > User Guides - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...purchasing goods and services for ongoing building operations that are of the best value...decision-making tool Compare materials and systems across both environmental and financialhttps://sftool.gov › green-guidance › for › 2 › procurement-professional -
Green Procurement Compilation - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
DOE Priority ProductsDOE GSA Public Buildings ServiceGSA PBS Products Services...clinical medicine. 17 Products Building Finishes Building interior products that providehttps://sftool.gov › greenprocurement › -
Healthy Cleaning - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...performed by custodial contractors, building maintenance personnel, or occupants...manner that promotes the health of building occupants, visitors, and cleaninghttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 645 › healthy-cleaning -
Sustainability Program Development - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Sustainability Programs incorporate all building stakeholders into the design process...accomplished through energy management systems. See the Green Teams page to learnhttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 481 › sustainability-program-development -
O&M > Solid Waste - 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 › 75 › solid-waste › om-impact -
MaterialDetails - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...located at the main doors of the building, either on the exterior or interior...pollutants are walked off at the building entrance, increasing the indoor airhttps://sftool.gov › material › 2054 › entrance-mats -
PowerPoint Presentation
GSA's Green Building Advisory Committee About GSA's Green Building Advisory Committee...of Federal High Performance Green Buildings Develops findings & recommendationshttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-policies-strategies › Coming Attractions from GSA GBAC.pdf -
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
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