A Green Building project needs to have the integration of design efforts from various specialties and disciplines so it is essential to apply the concept of Integrated Project Design that consists, briefly, in the correct application of the following principles and objectives:
Principles for Integrated Design Multidisciplinary Team Approach Collaboration from the beginning of the project Identification and obtaining consensus on goals and objectives Green/Ecological applied to function, budget and aesthetics. Systems Thinking and Synergistic Design (eg. Integration of natural light, lighting and HVAC) Incorporation of green strategies in all phases of the project, from programming to construction and post-occupancy, O&M Inclusion of project lifecycle costing, ROI and capitalization rate
Integrated Design Objectives
In buildings, to successfully achieve a truly integrated or holistic project, the following design objectives must be considered in a coordinated manner:
Accessibility: It deals with the elements of the building should allow standard access to person with disabilities.
Aesthetics: It deals with the physical appearance and image of the building elements, the spaces and the integrated design process.
Effectiveness: It deals with the selection of building elements on the basis of life cycle costs (evaluating options during concept development, design development and value engineering) as well as basic cost estimation and budget control.
Functional- Operational: Related to functional programming, spatial needs and requirements, performance of the systems as well as durability and efficient maintenance of the building elements.
Historic Preservation: It belongs to specifications within a historic district or affects a historic building where building elements and strategies are classifiable within one of four approaches: preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or reconstruction.
Productive: It deals with the well-being of occupants, physical and psychological comfort, including elements such as air distribution, lighting, workspaces, systems and technology.
Safety: It deals with the physical protection of occupants and assets from hazards produced by man or nature.
Sustainability: Regarding the environmental performance of the building elements and the strategies occupied.
A Green Building project must apply the concepts of integrated design in such a way as to take advantage of the synergies of each specialty and achieve an integrated, efficient and cost-effective design.
