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 efficiencies, 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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Verifying Project Outcomes: Which Metrics Work?
Feature Short
Project success is increasingly tied to performance metrics, especially EUI. But that doesn’t always capture what owners are really looking for.
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Biophilia in Practice: Buildings that Connect People with Nature
Feature Article
Biophilia, or human beings' inherent love for nature, has been called "the missing link in sustainable design." EBN's Alex Wilson helps readers understand biophilia, describes why it is important relative to building design, and presents specific design strategies for bringing people closer to nature.
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Climate Change Dominates Greenbuild Conference Agenda
Feature Article
With several announcements at the 2006 Greenbuild conference in Denver, the U.S. Green Building Council signaled that it would use its LEED Rating System to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by tightening LEED requirements and by increasing the number of buildings designed to LEED standards.
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Building Information Modeling and Green Design
Feature Article
Building information modeling (BIM) is a design process that allows real-time feedback on design decisions and supports collaboration between disciplines. New interoperability between BIM software and building analysis tools are bringing the design process to a new level of sophistication.
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
Explainer
Social science research methods can generate innovative and sophisticated design solutions that respond to human needs and cultural values.
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Energy Performance: Learn the Lingo
Explainer
The AIA 2030 Commitment and many other programs require project teams to predict and report on energy use. Here are the key terms you’ll need to get the job done.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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The Challenge of Creating Living Buildings
News Analysis
As the first buildings attempt to meet the Living Building Challenge, the difficulties of designing and building to such a rigorous standard are becoming apparent.
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Free Energy Modeling in Google SketchUp
News Analysis
With a new plug-in for Google SketchUp, Integrated Environmental Solutions offers free energy simulations for projects in the early stages of design.
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NAIOP Study Shows that Saving Energy Takes Know-How
News Analysis
A study commissioned by NAIOP argues that the 30%50% energy savings called for by many organizations is not cost effective, but critics say the study is full of holes.
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AIA Brings 2030 Targets Down to Earth
News Analysis
The AIA 2030 Commitment offers architecture firms practical steps for implementing carbon-neutrality goals.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Build More or Build Green? Affordable Housing’s False Choice
Spotlight Report
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Affordable Housing or Green Housing? We Can Say Yes to Both
Webcast
Yes, available funding for building and rehabilitating affordable housing is inadequate—but that’s all the more reason to get this right when we get the chance.
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Build Green on a Budget: Lessons from Affordable Housing
Spotlight Report
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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