This is a personal blog by Peter Cholakis, published to share and gain information relative to high performance buildings, and more specifically how to measure and implement the concept of a life-cycle management of the built environment – BIM. The focus it NOT upon 3D visualization, which while important, has been an unfortunate distraction from critical need to move forward.
Rather this blog’s focus is upon the business-processes, best-practices, terms, metrics, and technologies that can be leveraged to help the AECOO sector (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, Owner) shift from first cost to a life-cycle and/or total cost of ownership mindset. Further is is important to move from archaic and antagonistic project delivery methods such as design-bid-built, and even more recent attempt to improve DBB, such as design-build to Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and Job Order Contracting (JOC). The latter is a form of IPD specifically targeting facility renovation, repair, sustainability, and minor new construction.
All of the above are relevant to the global economy and environment.
Please also visit www.4clicks.com to learn more about JOC , SABER , and supporting technology, for specific tools to assist with high performance building management , JOC – Job Order Contracting, SABER – Simplified Acquisition of Base Civil Engineering Requirements, IPD – Integrated Project Delivery, BIM – Building Information Modeling / Management, and associated collaborative lean construction delivery methods.
Why is the topic of high performance buildings and analytics worthy of discussion?
1. Owners pay the bills in the construction industry across government, corporate and institutional markets.
“Planning and Budgeting” is perceived as the #1 area for process improvement. Cost estimating accuracy is the #1 impact of risk to the organization. - Construction Financial Managers (CFMA) Study – 2008
2. Renovation emerging as significant in downturn economy.
Owners are looking for reliable reference cost data to:
- Validate internal and external repair, maintenance, and construction estimates,
- More accurately project multi-year capital budgets, and
- Implement JOC delivery models for renovation projects under $10 million (though total JOC programs can reach $300M+)
3. Sustainability and High Performance Building approach is a core component the decision making process.
Climate change issues affect choices of building products.
What is a high performance building?
A building that integrates and optimizes all major high-performance building attributes, including energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, and occupant productivity. – Energy Policy Act, 2005, Section 915
A building that integrates and optimizes on a life cycle basis all major high performance attributes, including energy conservation, environment, safety, security, durability, accessibility, cost-benefit, productivity, sustainability, functionality, and operational considerations. – Energy Independence and Security Act, 2007, Title IV, Section 401
High-performance buildings, which address human, environmental, economic and total societal impact, are the result of the application of the highest level design, construction, operation and maintenance principles—a paradigm change for the built environment. – High Performance Building Council
What is a High Performance Building Management System?
High Performance Building Management System
About Me:
- CMO for 4Clicks Solutions (www.4clicks.com), leading provide of cost estimating and project management software to the DOD Sector.
- Former Senior Consultant for RS Means / Reed Business Information – Strategic partnering with BIM and cost estimating software OEMs as well as large end users.
- Established VFA as thought leader in the facilities consulting and condition assessment industry. Defined the CPMS (Capital Planning and Management Solutions) strategic concept effectively bringing it to a market that VFA dominated for years including the higher education and government segments
- Some think I have exceptional domain knowledge and expertise in facilities lifecycle costs and total cost of ownership applicable to various market segments including corporate and healthcare
- Seminal thinker on TCO (total cost of ownership) applicable to construction and facilities industry associations including FFC, APPA, NASFA and IFMA
- Ability to develop broad based “best-practices” and develop services and products for deployment via technology
- NBIMS, Chairperson – Terminology Subcommittee
- OMNICLASS Working Group
Very compelling writing. I have only read a few posts and quickly searched the categories but didn’t find any reference to fabrication. Where is the discussion about integrating fabrication into BIM and IPD to enable the many efficiencies already proven in other industries such as aerospace, automobiles, and consumer electronics?
Greg,
Thank you. You have and excellent point. The AEC industry is a laggard relative to implementing “best practices” currently found in other sectors. IPD is catching on, as is JOC. BIM will accelerate / expedite the adoption of these and similar practices.
Glad to find this Peter! I was wondering if you have a guesstimate on average number of luminaires per 1000 sq. ft. (or some other unit of area), for commercial office buildings.
thanks
Dan
Open Plan Office
The target lighting in open offices is 30 average maintained footcandles for ambient lighting with a total of at least 50 footcandles provided on the desktop by a combination of the ambient and supplemental task lighting.
Thanks Paul!
Dan