Chapter 1: DESIGN PROCESS

Summary

This chapter addresses the design process, during which mechanical and electrical systems and equipment are considered, selected, evaluated, sized, and integrated into a building. The design process includes identifiable phases, generally termed pre-design, conceptual design, schematic design, and design development. The construction and occupancy and operations phases follow design. Building commissioning is an emerging process being used to provide quality assurance to the design and construction endeavors.

Design intent and design criteria are emphasized as critical to successful design. Design hypotheses must be validated through analysis, using a range of methods and tools. Built projects can be assessed using post occupancy evaluation techniques. Case studies are being used both as examples and as a framework for building evaluation. The influence of codes and standards, and costs (first and life-cycle) is discussed.

Passive, active, and hybrid solutions to design problems may be implemented. The differences between energy-efficient, green, sustainable, and regenerative design are explored. A philosophy of design espoused by John Lyle is summarized; this philosophy suggests: Letting nature do the work, Considering nature as a model and as a context Using aggregating solutions rather than isolated solutions Matching technology to the need at hand Seeking common solutions to disparate problems Shaping the form of systems and buildings to guide the flow Shaping the form of systems and buildings to manifest the process Using information to replace power Providing for multiple pathways, and Managing storage to match needs with resources.

The Gilman Ordway Campus of the Woods Hole Research Center in Falmouth, Massachusetts is provided as a case study of design process for a green project.

Chapter Outline

1.1 Introduction 1.2 Design Intent 1.3 Design Criteria 1.4 Methods and Tools 1.5 Validation and Evaluation (a) Conventional validation/evaluation approaches (b) Commissioning (c) Case studies 1.6 Influences on the Design Process (a) Codes and standards (b) Costs (c) Passive and active approaches (d) Energy efficiency (e) Green building design strategies (f) Design strategies for sustainability (g) Regenerative design strategies 1.7 A Philosophy of Design (a) Let nature do the work

1 (b) Consider nature as both model and context (c) Aggregate rather than isolate (d) Match technology to the need (e) Seek common solutions to disparate problems (f) Shape the form to guide the flow (g) Shape the form to manifest the process (h) Use information to replace power (i) Provide multiple pathways (j) Manage storage 1.8 Case Study: Design Process (Woods Hole Research Center) References

Key Concepts

 The Absolutely Constant Incontestably Stable Architectural Values Scale (intriguing)  design process (a multi-stage flow of information, ideas and decisions)  design values (as critical to intentional design)  design intent (as the starting point for design solutions)  design criteria (as benchmarks for design intent)  design validations (as critical to good design outcomes)  design process influences (codes/standards, first costs/life-cycle costs)  building evaluation (as a learning and verification process)  post-occupancy evaluation (POE)  case studies (as an emerging design tool)  passive/active design approaches (as fundamental options)  energy efficient vs. green vs. sustainable vs. regenerative design (important to distinguish)  John Lyle design philosophy (as worth of consideration)  Woods Hole Research Center, Gilman Ordway campus (a green building example)  AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects Award

Terminology and Metrics

Important Terminology

 benchmarking  design process pre-design phase schematic design phase conceptual design phase design development phase  construction phase  occupancy and operations  design intent  design criteria  validation methods  hypothesis  post occupancy evaluation (POE)  commissioning  case study  Vital Signs  Agents of Change  code  standard  guideline

2  prescriptive approach  performance approach  life-cycle cost  passive system  active system  hybrid system  energy efficiency  green design  sustainability  regenerative design  LEED  US Green Building Council  John Lyle  Woods Hole Research Center (Gilman Orwday Campus)  William McDonough + Partners  Malcolm Wells

Important Metrics

No quantitative metrics introduced.

Links to Resources

Woods Hole Research Center, Gilman Ordway Campus (building information and real-time data): http://www.whrc.org/building/

Malcolm Wells’ Wilderness-Based Checklist for Design and Construction: http://www.sbse.org/resources/docs/wells_checklist_explanation.pdf

Real Goods Solar Living Center: http://www.solarliving.org/index.cfm

USGBC LEED Rating System: http://www.usgbc.org/