Starting Considerations and Project Context
Within the context of any given project, a variety of unique elements need to be taken into account when deciding whether to integrate a new technology into your building. These various elements can take on many different forms. In addition to the role the building plays in the project, existing systems and assemblies, site conditions and location, the anticipated scope of work, occupancy characteristics, and even billing structure (as it pertains to split incentives) all play significant roles in how a building will perform and be affected by new building technologies. Each of these various elements will determine whether a particular technology will properly fit into your project.
For instance, a building owner who is looking to replace the old furnace and air-conditioner might immediately look into using heat pumps. If the electrical service is not large enough to handle the load in the winter, however, a heat pump is not a feasible option. Similarly, a building being occupied by senior citizens is probably not a prime candidate for a high-technology, interactive programmable thermostat. Each project will have its own unique set of characteristics that will need to be addressed and considered when determining whether a certain technology is feasible.
Why are these considerations important to your project?
Assume you are the general manager of a professional baseball team. It is your job to put together a team that will succeed on the field, while remaining under the constraints of the team budget or league salary cap. Building a winning team takes a lot more than 11 baseball players simply signing contracts. Players specialize in different positions, excel at different aspects of the game, and provide a variety of different characteristics. To effectively do your job, it is critical to consider all these different elements when piecing the team together. You will probably also want to consult with all the members of your staff who can provide unique knowledge and perspectives on the different players you are considering. Together, you can best piece your team together based on your needs, your budget, your fan base, your opponents, and many other elements that will ultimately define your success. By considering all these different elements during the off-season, you are more likely to avoid, or at least minimize, the effect of potential issues (slumps, injuries, and so on) that could lead to an unsuccessful season.
Just as with a baseball team, a number of different elements affect a building. As stated previously, these elements can be within the building or can be related to the whole building makeup. Identifying all the various characteristics associated with your building and using them to evaluate the applicability of an innovative building technology are enormously beneficial actions for you as a decisionmaker. Considering these elements can help you identify, early in the process, those technologies that will be viable options for your project. It is important to have all the trades who will be involved in the installation of a new technology review the specifications well ahead of procurement and installation. In addition to your design professional(s) and contractor(s), personnel from facilities and maintenance, security, resident life, healthcare services, and others on the building staff will have different perspectives regarding elements that may make a particular technology a good, impractical, or unsuitable choice. After you have identified your constraints and requirements, you can begin evaluating these technologies on a higher level with regard to economics, feasibility, and performance. The following table outlines some benefits of identifying and analyzing the specific characteristics related to your building.
Questions To Ask
Depending on the main objectives of your project and the specific characteristics of your building, you can ask a number of different questions to help identify the constraints and requirements when integrating new building technologies. These questions will vary in regard to the specifics of your project. Often, one question can lead to another, and can help course you through a filtering process.
The following are some different types of feasibility considerations that may be applicable to your project. These questions will be important to ask yourself, your design professionals, your builder, the local code official, or your HUD point of contact.
