[Skip to Content]
SFTool has a new login! Please register with Login.gov. To retain your existing SFTool account information (FEDSAT, Total Workplace Scorecards, & GPC Lists), use our MERGE PAGE after logging in to migrate your data.

Architect / Engineer / Designer User Guide

This guide covers how the Sustainable Facilities Tool (SFTool) can assist you in planning and designing projects to achieve high performance and sustainability goals. The SFTool can assist with the following responsibilities:
I. Managing Design Requirements II. Designing to Achieve Performance Goals III. Selecting Products and Materials
  • Identify Key Sustainable Design Issues and Applicable Requirements
  • Design with Systems and Stakeholders in Mind
  • Design for People
  • Design High-Performance Building Systems
  • Design for Cost-Effectiveness
  • Choose Materials for Health

I. Managing Design Requirements

"As an Architect/Engineer/Designer, I am responsible for understanding the Owner’s Project Requirements and incorporating those requirements into the project design."

Identify Key Sustainable Design Issues and Applicable Requirements

  1. Learn about key issues and current topics for high-performance facilitiesopens in new window
  2. Learn about Key Climate Termsopens in new window
  3. Learn about the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildingsopens in new window
  4. View sustainable design strategies and best practices by project typeopens in new window
  5. Learn how selected building certification systems can help meet the Guiding Principlesopens in new window
  6. Learn how the Guiding Principles relate to health and wellness guidelines, standards and building rating systemsopens in new window
  7. Learn about Laws and Executive Orders affecting Federally funded buildingsopens in new window
  8. Meet the intent of the Guiding Principles using the interactive SFTool Guiding Principles Checklistopens in new window
Hover over a number to the left to update
Back to Top

II. Designing to Achieve Performance Goals

"As an Architect/Engineer/Designer, I must design the project to achieve the desired performance and the goals of various stakeholders while balancing cost considerations"

Design with Systems and Stakeholders in Mind

  1. Use systems thinking to consider the effects and outcomes of planning and design processes and decisionsopens in new window
  2. Utilize an integrative process to set project goals and engage all stakeholdersopens in new window
  3. Learn about applying sustainable design concepts through project case studiesopens in new window

Design for People

  1. Learn how building design can impact the health of occupantsopens in new window
  2. Learn how to enhance human health, comfort, and performance by improving indoor airopens in new window
  3. Access resources that promote productivity, health and wellbeing while working from homeopens in new window
  4. Benchmark workplace quality and measure improvements using GSA’s Total Workplace Scorecardopens in new window
  5. Take a virtual tour of a building for design guidance, federal requirements, and comparing material optionsopens in new window

Design High-Performance Building Systems

  1. Learn about building decarbonizationopens in new window
  2. Learn how to minimize building energy use and emissionsopens in new window
  3. Learn how to minimize building water useopens in new window
  4. Explore high-performance workspaces and building systemsopens in new window
  5. Learn about climate change adaptation and riskopens in new window

Design for Cost-Effectiveness

  1. Discover system bundling strategies to realize cost savingsopens in new window
  2. Use Life Cycle Thinking when selecting products and materialsopens in new window
  3. Identify potential cost-effective facility upgradesopens in new window
Hover over a number to the left to update
Back to Top

III. Selecting Products and Materials

"As an Architect/Engineer/Designer, I select sustainable products and materials that best meet the project design requirements for aesthetics, durability, maintenance, and life cycle cost."

Choose Materials for Health

  1. Compare materials and systems to understand their sustainable attributesopens in new window
  2. Browse environmentally preferable products within the Green Procurement Compilationopens in new window
  3. Identify brand-name products using SFTool Product Search that comply with Federal programs and recommended specifications, standards and ecolabelsnon government site opens in new window
  4. View requirements for procuring products that meet environmental purchasing programsopens in new window
  5. Verify contractor compliance with sustainability requirements for products and materialsopens in new window
Hover over a number to the left to update
Back to Top

Community

Break down the silos!

As an Architect / Engineer / Designer, I don’t live or work in a bubble.

To deliver a successful project, I regularly work with a variety of professionals who would benefit from the value of SFTool.

Integrative Design Process
Vendors Leasing Specialists
Manufacturers Facility Managers
Decision-makers Owners
Specialized Consultants Interior Designers

Learn more about the Integrative Design Process

Stay up to date by signing up for the SFTool Newsletter below!

See ‘Newsletters’ under Apply for other newsletters of interest from GSA, DOD, and DOE.