Environment Affecting Commercial Designs
It appears that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is starting to have a major influence on the way in which new buildings are being designed. In fact, they have caused Energy Star to create a strategic management approach to incorporate energy performance in the building design process (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_bldg_design.new_bldg_design_guidance). This approach is considered to be a set of suggested actions for design professionals and building owners to establish and achieve energy goals. I’m curious as to whether or not following these steps will hinder the designer’s ability to being creative. Following it will most likely cause some constraints on the design, but it may actually be benefitial. I would hope that designers would embrace these challenges and try to find new and innovative ways to make these buildings both stylish and enery efficient instead of taking the easy way out and just sticking with traditional designs that have worked in the past.
Tags: buildings, climate, commercial, design, energy star, environment, EPA