Integrated design with a focus on energy aspects

Bart Poel, EBM-consult

Keywords

architects, building design, building performance, cost-effectiveness, decision-making, demonstration project, design criteria, double envelop, energy calculations, energy efficiency, evaluation, integrated systems

Abstract

In the framework of the Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) programme of the International Energy Agency (IEA) several European countries, USA, Japan and Canada developed an Integrated Design Process (IDP). The IDP-approach makes sure that energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and wishes of the owner/user, the investors and other stakeholders, with respect to sustainability and lifecycle stability, are integrated in the design of buildings from the very first moment. In this way the effect is optimal and the overall cost impact is minimal.

The IDP-concept was put into practice in several demonstration projects. It has proven to be highly effective in realising high-energy performance and environmentally friendly buildings. An average increase in the energy efficiency of buildings of 20% seems realistic. Some demonstration projects even showed an energy performance improvement of over 30%, by just using the integrated design approach.

EBM-consult was one of the developers and is now working on the further implementation of the IDP-concept by making the knowledge and experiences accessible for practitioners and translating experiences into standards and codes. Local authorities (urban planners), investors and other stakeholders are involved in the process.