With increasing numbers of consumers becoming more environmentally conscious in their purchasing behavior, environmental practices are a decisive factor in the real estate sector. Reconciling the seemingly opposing goals of improving the environment and providing the needed infrastructure to support economic growth is the origin of the sustainable green building concept. This concept is simply about being mindful of the potential impact that the design, construction, and operation of commercial buildings will have on the environment and devising innovative strategies to mitigate or eliminate these impacts. This means changing the traditional process of designing buildings and their construction and operation, as well as the integration of emerging trends in many technology fields into buildings. The Sustainability Building Standards and Guidelines contains information intended as minimum standards for designing, constructing, and equipping sustainable mixed-use buildings. Insofar as practical, these standards relate to desired performance or results or both. Sustainable green buildings are as much about construction as they are about design. The book includes a description of the special design features, construction processes, the systems of operation and maintenance, and the interrelationships of these various functions. Increasingly, staying competitive means building owners / property developers, designers, manufacturers, and contractors are focused on achieving increasingly environmentally friendly and energy-efficient buildings with the ultimate goal of producing environmentally and energy-neutral buildings.

Retail, restaurants, offices, hotel, residential, conference and exhibition centers, and parking are typically being built as part of one large complex. Increasing complexities occur as more and more various types of occupancies are combined into the same buildings. A rapidly developing trend is a desire for mixed-use spaces to support lifestyle activities. An increasing number of people are working from home, so they need flexible mixed-use spaces that can accommodate their lifestyle. People are on the lookout for more luxury amenities, such as full fitness and yoga studios, conference centers with commercial kitchens, rooftop pools and spas, and lobby bars and coffee shops. This Technical Standards and Design Guidelines (TSDGs) contains information intended as minimum standards for constructing and equipping new Mixed Use Building projects. Insofar as practical, these standards relate to desired performance or results or both. Details of Architectural and Engineering are assumed to be part of good design practice and local building regulations. This document covers mixed-use building facilities common to a multitude of individual facilities. Facilities with unique services will require special consideration. However, sections herein may be applicable for parts of any facility and may be used where appropriate. The Property Developer will supply for each project a functional program for the facility that describes the purpose of the project, the projected demand or utilization. The TSDG includes a description of each function or service; the operational space required for each function; the types of all spaces; the special design features; the systems of operation; and the interrelationships of various functions and spaces. The functional program includes a description of those services necessary for the complete operation of the facility. The functional programs could be applied in the development of project design and construction documents. These standards assume that appropriate architectural, engineering and technology practices and compliance with applicable codes will be observed as part of normal professional service and require no separate detailed instructions. Specialist designers adopting the TSDGs are encouraged to apply design innovations and the property developer to grant exceptions where the intent of the standards is met. Sustainability and Energy Conservation Energy efficiency being a part of the building code requirement in many states, the trend is moving toward achieving it. Higher-performing building envelopes and higher-performing HVAC and lighting systems are some of the essential components to meet current energy codes. The importance of Environmental Sustainability and Energy Conservation is fully considered in all phases of facility design development. Proper planning and selection of building materials, mechanical and electrical systems, as well as efficient utilization of space and climatic characteristics that will significantly reduce overall energy consumption are fully described. The quality of the building facility environment is undoubtedly supportive of the occupants and functions served. New and innovative systems that accommodate these considerations while preserving cost effectiveness has been encouraged. Architectural elements that reduce energy consumption are considered part of the TSDG. In addition to Energy Conservation, buildings will be designed to minimize water consumption and operating costs without reducing occupancy standards, occupant health safety or comfort. Water conservation measures such as water-recycling including gray water and rain water collection, water purification, and sewerage recycling are included for consideration and recommendation in the project specific building energy brief. The integration of innovative water efficiency measures, such as storm water management, rainfall capture, treated effluent reuse, roof gardens and other alternative sources of water supply are fully described. Technology In todays ever-changing environment, technological standardization and integration of systems is essential. Technology is viewed as a competitive tool that contributes to the improvement of building occupant services and operating efficiencies. As the importance of access to information increases, so do customer demands for such services. The Intelligent Buildings Market is a rapidly evolving segment that is being influenced by a number of emerging trends. Mobile communications connect people to work, entertainment and each other in ways that boost productivity and enhance lives. Both Operational Technology (OT) and Informational Technology (IT) have entirely changed, and it will change even more as we get deeper into the Internet of Things (IOT). In-Building Wireless (IBW) communications provide the critical link to enable the use of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, two-way radios, wireless LANs, emergency communications and wireless building system devices within an enclosed structure. The technology disciplines (telecom, security, building automation, and lighting) have been going through a convergence over the past several years, with telecom wired and wireless networks becoming the common utility for all the technology disciplines.

This first volume of Sustainable building design manuals focuses on policy and regulatory mechanisms and serves as a guide to policy-makers and local authorities

The combined challenges of health, comfort, climate change and energy security cross the boundaries of traditional building disciplines. This authoritative collection, focusing mostly on energy and ventilation, provides the current and next generation of building engineering professionals with what they need to work closely with many disciplines to meet these challenges. A Handbook of Sustainable Building Engineering covers: how to design, engineer and monitor a building in a manner that minimises the emissions of greenhouse gases; how to adapt the environment, fabric and services of existing and new buildings to climate change; how to improve the environment in and around buildings to provide better health, comfort, security and productivity; and provides crucial expertise on monitoring the performance of buildings once they are occupied. The authors explain the principles behind built environment engineering, and offer practical guidance through international case studies.

High performance buildings maximize operational energy savings; improve comfort, health, & safety of occupants & visitors; & limit detrimental effects on the environment. These Guidelines provide instruction in the new methodologies that form the underpinnings of high performance buildings. They further indicate how these practices may be accommodated within existing frameworks of capital project administration & facility management. Chapters: city process; design process; site design & planning; building energy use; indoor environment; material & product selection; water mgmt.; construction admin.; commissioning; & operations & maintenance.

People across the world are becoming more aware of the need for the buildings and cities they live and work in to be sustainable, but the issue of how to be sustainable can seem a confusing and complex one. These rules of thumb provide universal guidelines for the sustainable design of both buildings and the urban realm. It’s a global primer and textbook for anyone interested in understanding sustainability in the built environment, an ideal starting point for students as well as an aide memoir for more experienced readers and practitioners interested in this field.