How does your project impact a site? Buildings have significant effects on their surroundings, including vegetation, wildlife habitats, and water movements (hydrology). A building can also influence a site's cultural history, urban density, and local infrastructure. The key is to realize that your development is not only ‘sitting' on the ground, affecting the site adjacent to it, but also radiating its affects on larger systems, both local and global.

How well does your project use water resources? As with other resources, our buildings utilize a great amount of water annually. Some of the water is used in manufacturing processes and industrial uses. Other uses are for general plumbing fixtures found in typical homes and offices. Nationally, we utilize more water than is recharged to the natural water systems which can lead to rationing and drought. With implementation of efficiency measures we can save vast amounts of this precious resource and save money on utility bills as well.

How much energy does your project use? Buildings use approximately 2/3 of the electricity produced in this country. This electricity is generally produced using vast amounts of fossil fuels, oil, and coal. The traditional processes of making electricity account for substantial air pollution and geologic erosion. There are a range of techniques, some simple and some more involved to reduce the amount of energy used by a building and its occupants. test

What's your building made of? Think of all the materials that go into a building – the concrete foundations, wood studs, carpet, steel hardware, doors, etc. Each material represents a process of resource extrication, manufacturing, transportation, and installation. These processes are responsible for energy use and are sources of pollution. Also remember that when buildings cease to be useful, they are mostly demolished and sent to landfills. Designers should endeavor to know more about where their materials came from and where they might go in the future.

How healthy are your spaces? Buildings without consideration of the potentially harmful impacts of some stimuli can affect their occupant's health. This usually stems from harmful toxins released from materials over time. Other impacts on an individual's health are from our need for fresh air, views, and daylight. Creating healthier indoor environments has been shown to increase productivity and reduce healthcare claims. Clean and sanitary indoor environments are important, but we should also realize the benefits of comfort on our occupants' mental health.

Analyze client's business plan; develop project scenarios and options; develop implementation plans and schedules

Analyze site; Evaluate site for project scenarios; Evaluate preliminary program options; Evaluate zoning and planning ordinance influence

Define project goals; Define spatial requirements, character, and budget restraints; Research major engineering systems; Research major architectural systems; Complete preliminary zoning ordinance and building code analysis; Reconcile construction budget with project

Advance engineering systems' components, sizes, layouts, interrelationships

Advance architectural systems and materials, such as exterior walls, exterior glazing, roofs, interior partition types, ceiling types, stair systems, vertical transportation systems, and finishes; Locate and size site utilities; Develop other major systems preliminarily; Final selection of major building systems and materials; Incorporate acoustic criteria; Reconcile construction budget with project

Address typical technical concerns for roofs: slopes; drains; penetrations; curbs; flashing; expansion and seismic joints; Address typical technical concerns for exterior walls: parapets; control, expansion and seismic joints; window and door installation and flashing; material designations; drips and weeps; changes of plane; penetrations; Address typical technical concerns for moisture protection: below grade and under-slab drainage and membranes; site drainage (incl. irrigation); below grade penetrations; exterior wall moisture barriers; Address typical technical concerns for access compliance: paths of travel, clearances; mounting heights; changes of plane; Address typical technical concerns for finishes; Address typical technical concerns for materials assembly methods

Observe construction process; Support design intent; Provide commissioning; Provide energy monitoring; Provide facility management; Provide post-occupancy evaluations