Design professionals know the impact indoor air quality can have on the cognitive and physical health of building occupants, yet design and engineering disciplines often work in silos to try to achieve healthy indoor air quality. A collaborative approach can result in sustainable buildings and healthier indoor air quality that can meet or exceed design benchmarks.
Utilizing an integrated approach that brings all team members to the table at the start of the planning and design process, design teams can better define project goals, share knowledge, and strategize. Owner expectations and requirements of indoor air quality can be determined, guiding the team in material selection and ventilation control design. While ASHRAE, LEED, and WELL share some goals, they have unique requirements that may conflict with each other, emphasizing the importance of communication across disciplines to coordinate standards and develop strategies that achieve the targeted benchmarks.
Read the complete article in Green Building & Design.