Integrative Process
In the building sector, the integrative process is ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration that begins during early design.
Depending on the project, the team could include the owner, future occupants, neighborhood residents, facilities personnel, mechanical and structural engineers, the contractor, trades, or even key product suppliers. These people all work together to find efficiences, potential cost savings, and unique solutions and opportunities that would not otherwise be discovered.
Integrative Process
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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When Passive House Goes Big
Feature Article
More projects are proving Passive House is achievable for large urban buildings. The lessons learned along the way can help guide cities to a low-energy, resilient future.
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Affordable Housing and Sustainable Design: The Goals Are Aligned
Feature Article
Green building is not just for those with means.
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The Sound of Sustainability: Acoustics in High-Performance Design
Feature Article
Acoustic performance is often overlooked by human-centered design. A holistic approach shows how to navigate the complexities of “sustainable acoustics.”
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Embracing the Economy as a Design Challenge
Feature Article
How architects, community developers, and others are experimenting with new models to support progressive design.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Ethnography: A Creative Tool for Human-Centered Design
Primer
Social science research methods can generate innovative and sophisticated design solutions that respond to human needs and cultural values.
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Who's Invited to the Green Building Table?
Infographic
Design-bid-build, design-build, and integrated project delivery explained.
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Putting the “Pre” in Post-Occupancy Evaluations
Infographic
Don’t just take a survey and walk away. There’s a better way to do POEs that can dovetail with the integrative process, improve project outcomes, and save clients money.
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Owner’s Project Requirements: What It Is, What It Could Be
Primer
Clients, designers, and commissioning agents don’t always get what they need out of the OPR. Some teams are trying to change that.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Unmilled Timber Frames Go High Tech, Replacing Steel
Product Review
Keep the beauty of round logs, and get more strength from an engineered wood structure, promises Wisconsin-based company WholeTrees.
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MicroBlend: A Green Revolution in Paint Distribution
Product Review
MicroBlend Technologies' low-VOC latex paints are made onsite, reducing the environmental impacts caused by the paint supply chain.
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LED Systems Provide Huge Energy Savings for Jobsite Lighting
Product Review
New LED technology is revolutionizing lighting on construction sites, but investing in the high-performing fixtures is a challenge for contractors who are used to disposable strings of light bulbs.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Top Ten Toolkit Helps All Projects Boost Performance
News Brief
AIA Committee on the Environment have launched the Top Ten Toolkit, a best-practice design guide based on the criteria for the COTE Top Ten awards.
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Code Officials Take on New Role in High-Performance Design
News Brief
A new report published by the National Institute of Building Sciences explains how project teams can save time and money by involving regulatory officials earlier.
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Ultimate Building Efficiency Requires Team Integration
News Brief
“Systems efficiency” could be the next big thing in sustainable design, and integrated project delivery is how we’ll get there.
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What’s the Secret to High Performance?
News Analysis
A new report identifies common habits of the firms that produce the best-designed and most sustainable projects.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Three Ways to Increase Sustainable Design Literacy in Firms
Blog Post
What does sustainable design literacy mean, and how can firms develop knowledge that leads to action? Here are three places to start.
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Why We Let Ourselves Do Mediocre Work
Blog Post
Architects and designers want to do exceptional, challenging sustainability work. Why are we waiting for the unicorn client?
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Our Economy is Broken (and We Can Fix It)
Op-Ed
Green building practitioners must take on the challenge of our broken economy, in our work and in our lives.
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Opinion: Seven Things Manufacturers Wish You Understood About EPDs
Op-Ed
Some manufacturers say creating EPDs has improved their products. But they also have important messages for the design community.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Pest Prevention: Steps Designers Can Take
Feature Article
Integrated pest management (IPM) design strategies can reduce structural damage and unsanitary conditions, and improve our community’s health.
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How To Run a Great Workshop: 37 Tips and Ideas
Feature Article
Whether you call it a charrette, a workshop, or simply a meeting, these suggestions from experts will make your next event more fun and productive.
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Integrated Design Meets the Real World
Feature Article
Proponents of integrated design say that it results in higher-performing buildings at lower costs than the conventional design process. But real world obstacles can derail or limit integration. We offer tips from experts to keep things on track.
