GREEN BUILDING
METHODS IN PLANNING
CRPLAN 5160
Module 4: Integrative Process
Category Topics
• Purpose
• Conventional vs. Integrative
• Examples
• LEED Credit
• Phases
• Iterative Process
• Industry Standards
Purpose
• The integrative process is:
o Foundation of green building design.
o One of the core concepts of sustainability in the built environment.
• Comprehensive approach to building systems and
equipment.
• The project team looks for synergies among systems and
components for mutual advantages towards building
performance, human comfort, and environmental benefits.
Conventional vs. Integrative
Standard conventional design process:
1. Owner conceives of and initiates project.
2. Architect/designers prepares drawings/design plans.
3. Owner reviews and approves plans.
4. General contractor bids and is selected for the project.
5. Timeline is set; construction begins.
6. Weekly meetings are held during construction as-needed.
7. Subcontractors just work on their portion of the project.
Conventional vs. Integrative
Integrative design process comparison:
• Linear nature of typical project is replaced with a multi-disciplinary
team approach.
• Design team with integrated team members is formed at the
inception of the project.
Conventional vs. Integrative
Integrative design process comparison:
• Members may include:
o Project owner
o Project user
o Architects
o Contractors
o Designers
o Building operators
o Property managers
o Others who may work on, in, or around the
building
Conventional vs. Integrative
Integrative design process comparison:
• Example design team
Project Owner
Project Users Authority Having
Jurisdiction
Building Manager
Operation & Utility Providers
Maintenance
LEED AP Architects & Construction Testing Contractor
Consultants Engineers Manager Agencies
Sub-
Contractors
Testing Lab Suppliers
LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation Guide, pg. 34
Conventional vs. Integrative
• Integrative design process comparison:
• Team members collaborate, integrating disciplines, to ensure
meeting sustainable objectives.
• Success is dependent on design team’s commitment to sustainable
goals and ability to work together.
• Sustainable goals include:
o Conserve energy and water
o Reduce resource depletion
o Increase indoor air quality
o Reduce transportation emissions
Conventional vs. Integrative
Integrative Conventional
Team member involvement only when
Inclusive
essential
Time, energy & collaboration invested Little time, energy & collaboration
in early stages invested in early stages
Decisions influenced by broad team Decisions made by a few people
Iterative (repetitive) process Linear process
Whole-systems thinking Systems considered in isolation
Allows for full optimization Limited to constrained optimization
Life-cycle costing Initial costs
Process continues through post- Process finished when construction is
occupancy complete
LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation Guide, pg. 34
Examples
• Negative Examples
1. Example 1
• Scenario: separated residential and commercial uses without alternative
transportation connections.
• Result: people drive cars, generating air pollution & traffic; reduced
opportunities for healthy active transportation.
2. Example 2
• Scenario: use of ornamental plants.
• Result: a lot of water may be required.
3. Example 3
• Scenario: Air-tight buildings for energy efficiency without adequate ventilation.
• Result: poor indoor air quality for building occupants.
Examples
• Positive Examples
1. Example 1
• Scenario: homes near jobs and shops and streets are designed for safety and
pedestrians to encourage active transportation
• Result: vehicle emission reductions, improved public health, and improved
community cohesion.
2. Example 2
• Scenario: use of native species.
• Result: water consumption reduction & habitat for wildlife.
3. Example 3
• Scenario: orienting and designing buildings to catch sunlight and for natural
breezes
• Result: energy savings, improved indoor air quality, and increased workers’
productivity.
4. Example 4
• Scenario: composting to reduce waste
• Result: improved soil quality and reduced solid waste collection-related GHG
emissions.
LEED Credit
Integrative Process (max 1 credit)
1. Integrative Process (1)
• Support high-performance, cost-effective project
outcomes through an early analysis of interrelationships
among systems.
• Before the design process begins, the design team must
complete:
o Two preliminary analyses
o One energy modeling analysis
o One water budget analysis
Phases
Active participation of all team members is required during
all phases of the project.
• Project phases include:
1. Discovery Phase
2. Implementation Phase
3. Occupancy Phase
Phases
1. Discovery Phase
• Aka “Predesign Phase”
• Occurs before design begins.
• Team members gather project information to meetings to inform the
design process.
• Energy modeling and water budget analyses are performed.
Phases
2. Implementation Phase
• Aka “Design and Construction Phase”
• Team members gather and analyze research results from
Discovery Phase.
• Schematic design begins, developed through the sharing of the
research results.
• Project team documents how:
o Energy modeling analysis affected OPR, BOD, and eventual project
design.
o At least 1 on-site nonpotable water supply source must reduce the
burden on the municipal water or wastewater system through 2 of the
water demand components from the Discovery Phase.
Phases
3. Occupancy Phase
• Aka “Occupancy, Operations, and Performance Feedback Phase”
• Final stage of the integrative design process.
• Performance assessment mechanisms measure actual building
performance against expectations.
• Feedback is critical to determine success in achieving performance
targets, informing building operations, and taking corrective action
when targets are missed.
• Assessments are made post-occupancy.
Iterative Process
• This type of process helps a project meet its sustainable
goals through conducting research, sharing information,
receiving feedback, and refining the design repeatedly
until the goals are met.
• Used in tandem with the Integrative Process.
• During the Discovery and Implementation phases, the design team
meets regularly until all scale and cost efficiencies are revealed.
Iterative Process
Research
Refine
& Collect
Design
Data
Receive Analyze
Feedback Data
Share
Data with
Team
Iterative Process
Complete the steps in the iterative cycle until all systems
are optimized:
1. Establish goals
2. Brainstorm and develop creative solutions.
3. Conduct research and collect data within the scope of work.
4. Analyze the data.
5. Share analyses with team members.
6. Receive feedback to identify synergies, wastes, and other
opportunities for savings and efficiency across all of the
disciplines.
7. Establish metrics for measuring success.
8. Implement/create/refine design.
Industry Standards
• Below are the industry standards that support LEED:
• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE)
• Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association
(SMACNA) guidelines
• Green Seal
• ENERGY STAR®
• HERs
• Reference Standards listed in ACPs
• Etc.
Green Associate Exam
Integrative Strategies Topics (8 Questions)
• Integrative process
• Integrative project team members
• Related industry standards to support LEED
Wrap-Up
• Purpose
• Conventional vs. Integrative
• LEED Credit
• Phases
• Iterative Process
• Industry Standards
• Exam Topics
Module Completion Requirements
To complete this module:
1. View this module
2. Required reading:
a. REF 1 – none
b. REF 2 – Section 2: Integrative Process
REFERENCE MATERIALS
c. REF 3 – Chapter 3: LEED v4 Core Concepts and Themes: LEED v4 Green
Integrative Process & Iterative Process Sections (pgs. 33-36) REF 1 Associate Candidate
Handbook
LEED Core Concepts
REF 2
3. Complete practice questions Guide, Third Edition
LEED Green Associate
a. REF 3 – end of Chapter 3 REF 3 Exam Preparation
Guide, LEED v4 Edition
LEED v4 Green
4. Optional reading: REF 4 Associate Exam Guide
(LEED GA)
a. REF 4 – Chapter 5: Integrative Process (IP) LEED Reference Guide
b. REF 5 – none REF 5
for Neighborhood
Development, LEED
v4 Edition