Introduction to the Innovative Building Technology

Organizations and agencies that own, manage, upgrade, and operate assisted housing facilities (or other non-market-rate housing) are often key decisionmakers regarding systems, materials, equipment, and technologies that will be incorporated into new construction and renovation projects. Although design and building professionals, such as architects, structural and mechanical engineers, and building/trade contractors, often provide guidance regarding building systems and materials, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) and water heating equipment, recommendations often revolve around those technologies that are most familiar and have the lowest first costs. Opportunities to enhance building performance and reduce operating costs over time are frequently lost due to lack of adequate consideration of newer, less well-known technologies. For existing buildings, this tendency is often exacerbated by the additional constraints of space, other existing systems in the building, scope of the renovation project, and occupancy; a typical scenario is simply to replace in kind. Project schedule also drives the decisionmaking process and, far too often, selections are made hastily.

This Innovative Building Technology Course is designed to assist building owners/operators and design professionals through a process that encourages thorough and rational consideration and comparison of multiple technologies to select the best fit to fulfill a given purpose(s). Upfront economic costs will be only one of multiple economic considerations. Life-cycle analysis, return on investment, and total monthly operating expenses (cashflow)—including utility bill costs, and principal and interest payments on financing—will be important considerations. Tools and methodologies to analyze and compare performance of different system options will provide assurance regarding maintenance schedules and costs, longevity, and documentation that the equipment or products function as expected. Tools that aid in review and understanding of local code compliance, in compliance with possible green standards or high-performance programs, and in verification that selected technologies will be compatible with one another are important metrics to ensure feasibility and constructability in all homes and categorized specifically based on climatic, disaster, and other weather concerns.