Complete site analysis to determine the minimum environmental impact.

Use computer simulations to direct design decisions.

Complete a base-case building analysis to understand design strategies that will have the greatest impact on the building design for the particular building function.

Evaluate adjacencies for building functions and how the building interacts with the site.

Evaluate use of renewable energy technologies and how they can be incorporated, either now or in the future, into the building design.

Schematic Design

Integrate the architectural design with the building's energy design. The building's form should improve the building's performance.

Evaluate all building materials for environmentally preferability.

Minimize building mechanical and electrical system sizes by incorporating passive solar technologies to help meet space conditions loads and lighting loads. Use computer simulations to guide design decision to achieve this strategy.

Design Development

Re-evaluate all suggested design changes using computer simulations before implementing the changes to ensure that the changes will not detract from meeting the building design goals.

Construction Documents

Write specifications clearly to eliminate confusion. On-site interpretation during construction can lead to construction errors.

Clearly show high-performance design strategies in construction drawing details. Comprehensive details help to avoid on-site interpretation of the drawings.

If design changes are proposed during construction, evaluate (using computer simulations) the impact those changes could have on the building performance to determine if those changes should be implemented.

Occupancy

Commission all building systems prior to occupancy.

Post-Occupancy

Check that all systems are operating as intended after occupancy.