Integrative Process
In the building sector, the integrative process is ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration that begins during early design.
Depending on the project, the team could include the owner, future occupants, neighborhood residents, facilities personnel, mechanical and structural engineers, the contractor, trades, or even key product suppliers. These people all work together to find efficiencies, potential cost savings, and unique solutions and opportunities that would not otherwise be discovered.
Integrative Process
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Build Green on a Budget: Lessons from Affordable Housing
Feature Article
Sustainability doesn’t have to cost more—and no one knows that better than affordable housing experts. But every project type can benefit from these 12 cost-reducing ideas that support people and the planet.
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Build More or Build Green? Affordable Housing’s False Choice
Feature Article
The housing crisis is also a climate crisis and a social equity crisis. If we change our ways, we can address them all at once.
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Integrative Process: Pathways to Performance and Regeneration
Feature Article
An integrative process can streamline workflows and drive higher performance. But if you do it well, it’s so much more.
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The Potential of Prefab: How Modular Construction Can Be Green
Feature Article
Offsite modular construction not only cuts costs and construction times but also benefits people and the planet.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Weighing Embodied vs. Operational Carbon Tradeoffs
Explainer
There can be a seesaw dynamic between operational and embodied carbon. Under what circumstances is a tradeoff worth the price
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Energy Performance: Learn the Lingo
Explainer
The AIA 2030 Commitment and many other programs require project teams to predict and report on energy use. Here are the key terms you’ll need to get the job done.
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Who's Invited to the Green Building Table?
Infographic
Design-bid-build, design-build, and integrated project delivery explained.
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Putting the “Pre” in Post-Occupancy Evaluations
Infographic
Don’t just take a survey and walk away. There’s a better way to do POEs that can dovetail with the integrative process, improve project outcomes, and save clients money.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Unmilled Timber Frames Go High Tech, Replacing Steel
Product Review
Keep the beauty of round logs, and get more strength from an engineered wood structure, promises Wisconsin-based company WholeTrees.
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MicroBlend: A Green Revolution in Paint Distribution
Product Review
MicroBlend Technologies' low-VOC latex paints are made onsite, reducing the environmental impacts caused by the paint supply chain.
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LED Systems Provide Huge Energy Savings for Jobsite Lighting
Product Review
New LED technology is revolutionizing lighting on construction sites, but investing in the high-performing fixtures is a challenge for contractors who are used to disposable strings of light bulbs.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Seeking a Just Transition to a Decarbonized Built Environment
News Analysis
Community Climate Shift funds projects driving community-led decarbonization and building performance standards.
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A Framework for All: How AIA Is Democratizing Excellence
News Analysis
The AIA Framework for Design Excellence helps designers start vital conversations. Recent revisions have surfaced four core outcomes and sharpened focus on “how” to complement “why.”
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Top Ten Toolkit Helps All Projects Boost Performance
News Brief
AIA Committee on the Environment have launched the Top Ten Toolkit, a best-practice design guide based on the criteria for the COTE Top Ten awards.
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Code Officials Take on New Role in High-Performance Design
News Brief
A new report published by the National Institute of Building Sciences explains how project teams can save time and money by involving regulatory officials earlier.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Field Notes from BuildingGreen’s Integrative Process Facilitators
Op-Ed
As integrative process consultants, we can help owners become better clients.
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Three Ways to Increase Sustainable Design Literacy in Firms
Blog Post
What does sustainable design literacy mean, and how can firms develop knowledge that leads to action? Here are three places to start.
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Our Economy is Broken (and We Can Fix It)
Op-Ed
Green building practitioners must take on the challenge of our broken economy, in our work and in our lives.
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Why We Let Ourselves Do Mediocre Work
Blog Post
Architects and designers want to do exceptional, challenging sustainability work. Why are we waiting for the unicorn client?
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Build More or Build Green? Affordable Housing’s False Choice
Feature Article
The housing crisis is also a climate crisis and a social equity crisis. If we change our ways, we can address them all at once.
-
Integrative Process: Pathways to Performance and Regeneration
Feature Article
An integrative process can streamline workflows and drive higher performance. But if you do it well, it’s so much more.
-
Build Green on a Budget: Lessons from Affordable Housing
Spotlight Report
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Affordable Housing or Green Housing? We Can Say Yes to Both
Webcast
Yes, available funding for building and rehabilitating affordable housing is inadequate—but that’s all the more reason to get this right when we get the chance.
