What steps can you take to design an eco-friendly building from start to finish?

1 Assess the site

The first step is to assess the site where you want to build your eco-friendly building. You need to consider the climate, the topography, the orientation, the vegetation, the soil, the water, and the existing infrastructure. These factors will affect your design choices, such as the shape, size, layout, materials, and systems of your building. You also need to identify any potential environmental hazards or regulations that might limit your options. You can use tools like GIS, LIDAR, or drones to collect and analyze site data.

2 Set the objectives

The next step is to set the objectives for your eco-friendly building. You need to define what you want to achieve in terms of energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, daylighting, acoustics, aesthetics, and functionality. You also need to establish your budget, timeline, and performance indicators. You can use frameworks like LEED, BREEAM, or Passive House to guide your objectives and measure your outcomes. You can also use tools like BIM, LCA, or EUI to model and evaluate your design scenarios.

3 Choose the materials

The third step is to choose the materials for your eco-friendly building. You need to consider the environmental impact, the durability, the cost, the availability, and the compatibility of the materials you use. You should opt for materials that are renewable, recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, or low-impact. You should also avoid materials that are toxic, non-renewable, or high-embodied. You can use databases like EPD, LBC, or C2C to find and compare eco-friendly materials. You can also use tools like BEES, Athena, or eTool to calculate the environmental footprint of your materials.

4 Integrate the systems

The fourth step is to integrate the systems for your eco-friendly building. You need to consider the energy, water, waste, ventilation, heating, cooling, lighting, and control systems that will support your building's operation and maintenance. You should opt for systems that are passive, renewable, efficient, or smart. You should also avoid systems that are fossil-fuel based, wasteful, or outdated. You can use standards like ASHRAE, IECC, or WELL to design and optimize your systems. You can also use tools like EnergyPlus, WUFI, or Dialux to simulate and test your systems.

5 Engage the stakeholders

The fifth step is to engage the stakeholders for your eco-friendly building. You need to consider the needs, preferences, expectations, and feedback of the people who will use, manage, or benefit from your building. You should involve them in the design process, communicate your vision and goals, educate them on the benefits and features of your building, and solicit their input and suggestions. You can use methods like surveys, interviews, workshops, or charrettes to engage your stakeholders. You can also use tools like VR, AR, or mock-ups to visualize and demonstrate your design.

6 Monitor the performance

The final step is to monitor the performance of your eco-friendly building. You need to collect, analyze, and report the data on the environmental, social, and economic impacts of your building. You should compare your results with your objectives, identify any gaps or issues, and implement any improvements or adjustments. You should also share your findings and lessons with your stakeholders, peers, and community. You can use tools like sensors, meters, or dashboards to monitor your performance. You can also use tools like LEED Online, BREEAM In-Use, or PHPP to certify your performance.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?