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 Compilation69 Results : Whole Building Systems Thinking
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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 -
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 -
- GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Agency Sustainable Building Practices Federal agencies have discovered many...effective practices to make their buildings sustainable. Many share policieshttps://sftool.gov › learn › 10129 › agency-practices -
Project Manager > User Guides - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...affecting Federal buildings Find regulatory content applicable to systems projects Reference...Options (hover) Explore > Building Systems > System Bundling Plan > Cost-Effectivehttps://sftool.gov › green-guidance › for › 4 › project-manager -
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...described as the conditions inside the building. It includes air quality, but also...is sufficient space for occupants. Building managers and operators can increasehttps://sftool.gov › learn › about › 1 › indoor-environmental-quality-ieq -
Procurement Professional > User Guides - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...purchasing goods and services for ongoing building operations that are of the best value...Cycle Thinking as a decision-making tool Compare materials and systems acrosshttps://sftool.gov › green-guidance › for › 2 › procurement-professional -
Green Teams - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Planning and Engagement Processes Systems Thinking Integrative Design Process Collaborative...Life Cycle Perspective (Life Cycle Thinking) Life Cycle Assessment Conductinghttps://sftool.gov › plan › 408 › green-teams -
PowerPoint Presentation
Sustainable Building Study Using Whole- System and Life-Cycle Thinking 2012 REPORT...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 -
FMI Courses Reviewed and Public Comment - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
...are expected for superior building design and system operation Assure employers...development Offer an easy-to-apply process. Building Commissioning Association (BCxA):https://sftool.gov › train › about › 596?slug=fmi-courses-reviewed-public-comment -
PowerPoint Presentation
Analysis *Includes the co-hosted Better Buildings Summit 4U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY...Implementation Optimizing Building Management & Maintenance 5. Building Optimization Essentialshttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-tools › 2 - EEx19 Overview ISWG - 12.05.19.pdf -
Tools & Training - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Training This section covers and links to systems, methods, databases, calculators,...high-performance building goals. Return to Agency Green Building Practices Resourceshttps://sftool.gov › learn › agency-practices › 445 › iswg-tools -
Green Procurement - Federal Requirements - Residential Water Heaters - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Optimization System for Chiller Plants Control Optimization System for Chiller...Non-Mechanical Heat Transfer Systems Non-Mechanical Heat Transfer Systems Non-Pressure Pipeshttps://sftool.gov › greenprocurement › green-products › 24 › hvacmechanical › 1378 › residential-water-heaters › 0 -
Serious Games: Crafting Sustainable Solutions Through Play
...â— Government's one-stop-shop for building and buying green content â— Discover...customers…) II. Buildings and their interconnected systems are complex III.https://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-tools › SFTool.gov Serious Games_MBloom May 2015.pptx.pdf -
PowerPoint Presentation
Congress directed DOE to develop Federal building energy efficiency requirements for...multi-family residential buildings that require those buildings to:  Meet the ASHRAEhttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-policies-strategies › 3 - ASHRAE 90.1-2013 and 10 CFR 433 - Halverson ISWG 191205.pdf -
Microsoft Word - Facility Manager JTA For Public Comment V4.docx
...of Energy. A Facility Manager is a building maintenance specialist and property...property administrator who conducts building operations and maintenance activitieshttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Facility Manager JTA For Public Comment.pdf -
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 -
Archived FMI Program Updates - GSA Sustainable Facilities Tool
Recommended Curriculum of the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act (FBPTA). FBPTA...Recommended Curriculum of the Federal Buildings Personnel Training Act (FBPTA). FBPTAhttps://sftool.gov › train › about › 651?slug=archived-fmi-program-updates -
Here's the problem…
...of the BTO Cybersecurity Related Buildings Project January 12, 2017 2 Increasing...Vulnerability & DOE Buildings Role “The nation's buildings are increasingly relyinghttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-case-studies › 2 - Overview of the BTO Cybersecurity Related Buildings Project.pdf -
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...efficiency and renewables.  Our whole-systems expertise unlocks market-based...performing buildings. Vehicles Planes & Trains New Buildings Existing Buildings Industryhttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-case-studies › 11 CaraCarmichael Victor Olgyay - RMI Deep Energy Retrofits.pdf -
NASA/Clark Energy Group JPL ESPC Contract
...square feet of building space 126 buildings Median age of the buildings is 52 years...of reverse osmosis/deionized water system and install VFD and DI water pumpshttps://sftool.gov › Content › attachments › Iswg › iswg-case-studies › NASA JPL ESPC with notes.pdf
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