Architect / Engineer / Designer User Guide
I. Managing Design Requirements | II. Designing to Achieve Performance Goals | III. Selecting Products and Materials |
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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
- Learn about key issues and current topics for high-performance facilities
- Learn about Key Climate Terms
- Learn about the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings
- View sustainable design strategies and best practices by project type
- Learn how selected building certification systems can help meet the Guiding Principles
- Learn how the Guiding Principles relate to health and wellness guidelines, standards and building rating systems
- Learn about Laws and Executive Orders affecting Federally funded buildings
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
- Use systems thinking to consider the effects and outcomes of planning and design processes and decisions
- Utilize an integrative process to set project goals and engage all stakeholders
- Learn about applying sustainable design concepts through project case studies
Design for People
- Learn how building design can impact the health of occupants
- Learn how to enhance human health, comfort, and performance by improving indoor air
- Access resources that promote productivity, health and wellbeing while working from home
- Benchmark workplace quality and measure improvements using GSA’s Total Workplace Scorecard
- Take a virtual tour of a building for design guidance, federal requirements, and comparing material options
Design High-Performance Building Systems
- Learn about building decarbonization
- Learn how to minimize building energy use and emissions
- Learn how to minimize building water use
- Explore high-performance workspaces and building systems
- Learn about climate change adaptation and risk
Design for Cost-Effectiveness
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
- Compare materials and systems to understand their sustainable attributes
- Browse environmentally preferable products within the Green Procurement Compilation
- Comment start Identify brand-name products using SFTool Product Search that comply with Federal programs and recommended specifications, standards and ecolabels
- View requirements for procuring products that meet environmental purchasing programs
- Verify contractor compliance with sustainability requirements for products and materials
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.
Vendors | Leasing Specialists |
Manufacturers | Facility Managers |
Decision-makers | Owners |
Specialized Consultants | Interior Designers |
Learn more about the Integrative Design Process
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