Practicing Sustainable Design 2: The Process

Written by Josebet Luna

Sustainable practice goes beyond bringing plants indoors and opening windows. It requires a comprehensive analysis of current and proposed conditions, focusing on human health and well-being as well as financial and environmental impacts. It begins with an initial idea that is analyzed, studied, and refined by interdisciplinary teams. This collaboration allows owners, architects, engineers, and other experts to discover synergies for complex challenges—essentially embodying the idea of “killing two birds with one stone” (though in this case, no birds are harmed, but rather protected).

Establishing a clear coordination structure, including specific organizational methods and tools, is essential for managing this highly collaborative process effectively.

Goal Setting

First, we must establish the goals of the project. This goes beyond simply having an idea of the desired outcomes; it requires analyzing the project’s constraints, existing conditions, budget, and ongoing circumstances that may impact development during design, construction, and eventual operations once the spaces are occupied.

Considerations:

• What is the overall purpose of the project?

• What is the function of each space?

• What are the impacts on building occupants?

• What is the impact on the surrounding community?

• Will investment occur upfront during design, or later during building operations?

• How will the team coordinate to support the established goals?

Research

Once the goals are set, the idea is expanded and examined more deeply, typically during the predesign phase. Research focuses on specific preferences, analysis of prior design approaches, and their outcomes. At this stage, possible solutions are presented along with follow-up questions to identify the most appropriate design strategy.

Considerations:

• Questionnaires – Specific questions about design preferences and building systems

• Precedents – Previously completed projects that help inform proposed solutions

• Ongoing coordination – Sharing ideas with the team and exchanging feedback

Implementation

This is where ideas and concepts become visual. Proposals are translated into sketches, drawings, and models, allowing the team—including the owner—to understand the implications of each decision based on the established goals and research. This is an ongoing process, extending from the early stages of design through construction, and it remains interconnected with review processes that refine and strengthen the design.

Considerations:

• Does the design meet the established criteria and preferences?

• Is the design aligned with the budget?

• How does the design improve or enhance the occupant experience?

• How will the design contribute positively to the local community?

Model of FoodLink in Tulare County

Review

This phase is integral to every other part of the sustainable process, as it strengthens communication across disciplines—among the owner, architect, contractor, engineers, and other contributors. Unlike goal setting, this phase focuses on identifying potential conflicts between building systems and improving the overall quality of the work.

Considerations:

• Ongoing coordination – Identifying system conflicts and developing solutions

• Deliverable reviews – Ensuring documentation is clear, complete, and compliant

• Commissioning – Similar to third-party certification, this external perspective helps ensure that previously established requirements have been met

Sustainable design practice is inherently collaborative. It integrates all project participants to understand constraints, analyze ideas, identify conflicts, and establish the most appropriate solutions to serve the ultimate sustainable purpose of each project.