Victor E. Sanvido

LEAN AND GREEN: THE ROLE OF DESIGN-BUILD MECHANICAL COMPETENCIES IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF GREEN BUILDINGS

Building mechanical systems play a major role in both initial cost and life cycle energy use in buildings. This research examines the role of design-build mechanical contractors in meeting energy efficiency and first cost objectives on high performance “green” building projects. Specifically, synergies between lean principles which eliminate process and materials waste are evaluated for alignment with green goals in resource minimization and energy efficiency. The role of design-build mechanical contractors in achieving green buildings is explored through engineering, design detailing, fabrication, and construction processes. Three illustrative case studies are summarized to illustrate the unique abilities of design-build mechanical contractors as valuable contributors on green projects. The results of these case studies and interviews with design-build mechanical professionals are summarized in descriptive tables in which waste reducing lean principles are applied to achieve green results. Key results include the value of integrated design and detailing of mechanical systems, the ability of design-build mechanical contractors to take on more risk with innovative design solutions, and the benefits of early involvement of expertise in estimating and constructability of mechanical systems on building projects. Implications for the design process of green buildings and the role of energy and mechanical engineering are discussed.

A top-down approach to integrating the building process

Many computer-aided tools have been developed to assist designers, engineers, and managers with specific well-defined functions, yet they are not well integrated. This paper develops the need for an information architecture to integrate the processes and subsequent software used throughout the life of a building. It then defines a process model of the functions required to provide a facility to the end user, namely, managing, planning, designing, constructing, and operating the facility.This process model implies that the proposed information architecture must support the life-cycle process, effectively capture knowledge, and act as an integrator of industry accepted decision-making tools. Finally, a knowledge-based approach to implementing the information architecture is propsed.

Towards a process based information architecture for construction

Abstract This paper presents an information architecture (IA), or a scheme for organizing the categories of required information, to support computer integrated construction. This IA is developed through the analysis of a process model of the functions required to provide an operational facility to the end user during the life of the facility. It has four broad categories of information: product elements (sometimes referred to as product modelling); process control elements (sometimes referred to as project management); feedback elements (sometimes referred to as project control); and finally, constraint elements (typically the codes, economy etc.). The structure for the IA is discussed and detailed definitions of the elements and subelements in each category are presented. These definitions include examples of documents found in use on sites visited. Finally, a strategy for further developing the information architecture is proposed.

The Cross Fertilization of Construction and Manufacturing through Computer Integration

An extensive comparison of manufacturing and construction describes basic functional similarities, indicates similar problems facing both industries, and defines similar solutions being applied with varying degrees of success. The computer integrated solutions in manufacturing are clearly more advanced than constructions efforts. Potential benefits of this system are illustrated by the strides that manufacturing has made in their integrated approach to providing a product.