Coordinated Design Practices for Energy Efficient Green Buildings

Decisions regarding building location, orientation, envelope design, insulation and usage have the greatest direct long-term impact on building energy consumptions. Initial decisions take these issues into account through active discussions and integrated dialogues among all parties.

Great deal of initial coordination is necessary among project architect, MEP designers and management. Holistic solutions are necessary to achieve energy efficient building.
Integrated design process directly relates to potential air conditioning and lighting savings. Each of these consume close to fifty percent of building energy.

Conventionally energy consumption and high efficiency features are not discussed in any meaningful way by services engineers, building architects, coordinator and client in initial discussions. For green building to be successful at obtaining energy savings, coordinated effort from very beginning is required. Whole team is engaged in much more detailed dialogue earlier in the design process, with team approach, taking the time to understand how their portion of the work affects the greater design of the whole project.

Initial discussions are important to outline actual requirement for which building is planned. Exact requirement of the owner are noted. These requirements can cover expenditure, time period, operation and maintenance, spaces required, functional aspects, system preferences, frequency of use and special needs. Functional requirements include the indoor environmental quality, thermal comfort level, noise control, lighting levels, and indoor air quality. In addition detailed information including but not limited to energy ratings, return on investment, ownership, intended function and desired upgrades, codes and regulations to be followed, are listed.

This information is important to propose system that meets the stated criteria saving time and effort to arrive at an agreed system, acceptable to all. A well defined document is available to follow. Costs are easy to control when requirements are available in documented form. Client’s preferences may be added as the design progresses. Still it is good practice to have a document for all initial and added intent.

After OPR conceptual design incorporates initial requirements and describes opportunities and risks. Different options are discussed to meet requirements documented earlier. Best design scheme is selected keeping in view site conditions and available budgets

Schematic design further develops the ideas that are workable meeting OPR and the constraints on site. Architectural teams identify different zones in the building and meet people, equipment and spaces requirements. Solar impact on glazing are studied, occupancies and external facades are decided accordingly.