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 Compilation317 Results : whole building systems
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 › plan › 671 › buyer-resources -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Mandates / Standards > Planted Roof - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
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 › 80 › planted-roof › relevant-mandates-and-rating-systems -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
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