High Performance Outcomes

Copying the A's "High Performance Outcome" Recently it seems like all the articles I read on Green and Sustainable Building Projects focus on the innovations of design thinkery  and construction activity . Some of the  Success Stories go into significant detail in explaining the innovative processes or approaches applied. These advancements, of course, are critical to advancing the creation of High Performance Outcomes. It further seems to me that these documented advancements "are heavy" on the Designer/Builder side of the ledger. By this I mean there's more discussion on how the architect, engineers, builders, suppliers, subs, etc. are applying an innovative process or re-inventing an approach that chips away at challenges such as energy performance, schedule length, waste reduction, constructability, and so on.

www.designsensespa.com As you regular readers should know, I'm the Principal Consultant for DesignSense-Strategic Project Acquisitions.  DesignSense   provides Construction Project Owners a one-stop source to support their staff and stakeholders in the development, documentation, and implementation of Integrated Project Delivery and Design-Build. And as industry leaders in Alternative Project Delivery, DesignSense guides Private, Public, and Federal projects throughout the United States, using the advanced  3PQ Acquisition & Management System : the  elements of which have been discussed extensively at this blog.

The procurement "lesson-learned"  from the DOE/NREL Research Support Facility project in Golden, Colorado is Net-Zero Energy does not add cost to the project. That's right, DOE didn't pay a penny more for Net-Zero Performance of the 350,000 SF building than set forth in the original budget. Phases 1 and 2 of the RSF Project have now been in operation for more than a year. The energy performance has been verified at Net-Zero and the final cost for the project met the appropriated budget, which did not require a Net-Zero Energy outcome. What caused the FREE upgrade in operational performance was the procurement process used on the project.

"What the hell happened?" This opinion post began as a comment on LinkedIn: "Design-Build Professionals Group" mixed with reports I've read from ENR ... One "designs" in reaction to a known (or stated) problem, i.e. keep water off my head. One might say the designer is predicting how water is kept off the head (a roof), but the "design" is a reaction to being wet. The "design" reacts to the "problem". Sullivan taught us form "follows" function. "Reaction" is also why owner's "qualify" designers based on experience (are you a good problem-solver?)