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Sustainable design is many things to many people. It is living today while offering future generations the same. It is ensuring that we don't leave our mark. It looks for a cooperative interaction between the man-made and the natural environments. It strives for a higher quality of life for all people. It reinforces economic, social and environmental goals mutually. It finds ways to conserve drinkable water and lower energy consumption. It provides the users of a building the ability to breathe non-polluted air. It balances development and the environment. It functions on an individual level through local neighborhoods to the entire planet.

We understand that the sustainable world is vast, and can be quite abstract. Here at Insights, we break it down into digestible portions; each issue will highlight one aspect of sustainable design to whet your appetite. We hope this proves educational and will help foster further interest. Of course, feel free to contact us for more in-depth discussions.

Get everyone to the table.

At the core of any truly sustainable project lies an integrated, whole building design process. In recognizing its necessity, the USGBC created the LEED® rating system to help promote this type of design approach. Integrated design brings all key contributors together early in the design process, which allows for building strategies to be thoughtfully considered at the beginning stages when backtracking costs are less. Owners, facility managers, end users, as well as designers, architects, planners, engineers, interior designers and cost estimators all can be a part of this early design process. Ideally, construction managers, general contractors and key subcontractors also participate. It really is a team effort. It is here that ideas can be generated and tested with minimal disruption to the project. Entire processes can be evaluated, their benefits understood and barriers identified before commitments and obligations are established. Intelligent holistic design can be the difference between a high performance facility and an average building.

In a typical design process, the net bottom line is one of the key driving forces for the project. Building components are broken down individually and evaluated based on their cost and performance without relating to other key elements. Engineering and aesthetics are generally thought of separately. Usually, the building placement and its footprint on the site are not thought of as a way to save energy. Maintenance and life cycle is usually an afterthought or given only a cursory look.

With an integrated design approach, all these aspects come into play early in the game. What once was seen as an added cost can be leveraged to reduce costs elsewhere: A green roof provides some aesthetic qualities, but it also provides added insulation to lower the mechanical needs. It aids in storm water management through evapotranspiration by lessoning the needs on leaders, detention tanks and the local storm sewer. As the holistic design strategy progresses, systems and relationships are identified that prove beneficial to the bottom line. Components become interdependent, creating a more efficient and cost effective solution. Without this early interaction, these benefits are usually overlooked, and opportunities are missed.

The standard building design process uses the code as the target. By using an integrated design approach, the owner, user and facilities manager can think long term while raising the bar. The project team can identify how the building provides payback for the initial investment. Some costs are building specific: Proper building configuration, use of overhangs and superior glazing systems can lower the demands of the mechanical systems. By needing a smaller HVAC system, the owner may opt to utilize a more efficient system. The paybacks will then accumulate year after year in energy savings.

Other costs are personnel specific. Paying attention to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) can pay dividends in worker productivity, less maintenance and fewer complaints, all of which contribute to greater economic gain not usually associated with building performance. Underfloor air distribution allows for individual temperature control, which lowers worker complaints and raises worker productivity. By introducing the conditioned air at the floor, the carbon dioxide and other contaminates rise to the ceiling instead of getting mixed back into the breathable zone. This provides healthier working conditions and happier employees. By having all the power and mechanical needs under the raised access floor, it lowers the cost to reconfigure the space. Regular maintenance staff can easily relocate floor diffusers, receptacles and workstation partitions. Costly demolition and new build outs are no longer necessary. Ductwork is reduced as the void under the floor is used as a supply plenum. These economic and personnel benefits provide a yield on an annual basis.

The holistic, integrated approach offers financial, environmental and personnel advantages over the conventionally designed approach. In many cases, this process allows a sustainable project to be built using the standard project’s budget. Moreover, the systems and strategies employed will accumulate savings throughout the life of the building through energy reduction, worker productivity, and lower maintenance costs.

KZF Design is well suited for and established in the integrated design approach. We offer a multi-disciplined team that consists of planners, civil engineers, programmers, cultural assessors, architects, structural engineers, interior designers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, cost estimators, and construction administrators. We have LEED Accredited Professionals on many levels in our organization including urban design, architecture, interior design, engineering, project management, market director, and even at the vice-president level. Our commitment for sustainable design spans the gamut of our firm, from the intern to the CEO. By having all the services in house, KZF Design can offer a constant and uninterrupted team approach that excels in speed and accuracy. Our cross discipline ability affords us the in-house luxury of integrated design, which is the corner stone for a truly sustainable project.


LEED is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council.