Top 12 Steps for Planning a Sustainable
Building Project
- Establish a vision that embraces
sustainable principles and an integrated sustainable design approach.
Develop a clear statement of intentfor
the projects vision, goals, design criteria and priorities.
- Appoint a project manager who will beresponsible
for overseeing the project's planning and implementation. If
internally appointed, which is often the case, ensure enough
of their time and effort is dedicated to the building project.
- Encourage all staff to participate in
the project from the beginning. Offer information, training
and incentives to get their participation and buy-in to the
project's vision and intent.
- Develop a project budget that incorporates
sustainable building measures. Seek sponsorship or grant opportunities
and allocate adequate funds for specific sustainable options.
- Adapt the tender selection process to
selecta design and constructionteam
that is committed to the project's vision and has sustainable
building experience.
- Build effective relationships with your
architects, designers, contractors, and suppliers so there
is a common understanding of your vision and aims. Make environmental
issues an agenda item in meetings with suppliers.
- Focus on the big picture by looking for
ways that will make the largest impact. Design and fit-out
choices should, over the life of the building, address the
key issues of:
- location
- energy
- water
- materials
- waste.
- Use space planning and other material
efficiency strategies to reduce the amount of building materials
needed and to cut construction costs.
- Facilitate recycling collection and solid
waste management by allocating space for these activities.
- Develop a project schedule that allows
time for the investigation of sustainable issues including
time for building systems testing and commissioning.
- Once commissioned ensure all building
systems are operating at, or above, their optimum designed
efficiency ratings.
- Use the opportunity to add sustainable
practices to your organisation's other activities (procurement,
vehicles and waste management).
