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PER FOR MANCE BASED DESIGN: MAK ING THE MOST OF PR E- DESIGN
SUSTAINAB LE DE SIG N B RIE F
Performance Based Design:
Making the Most of Pre-Design
Performance Based Design is an approach in which performance analysis
is used to inform design, rather than in its traditional role as a validation
tool. Appropriate analysis can be used to answer relevant questions at
every stage of design—providing the design team the information they
need to address performance in a creative, flexible way.
Because it moves some analysis from later stages into the earlier stages
of design, Performance Based Design can require additional investments
of time and energy up front. However, this extra effort typically means
fewer design changes, less rework, and fewer open questions in later
stages, ultimately helping the architect deliver a higher performing
building at lower design cost.
The best opportunity to inform design is before the architect has put pen
to paper—in the Pre-Design phase of a project. In this stage, performance
analysis can be used (1) to identify the best passive design strategies,
based upon the climate, context, and building usage; and (2) to explore
the implications of the design brief.
This is the first in a three-part series on how to leverage performance analysis to drive
decisions at each stage of the design process.
Preparation /
Pre-Design
Concept /
Schematic
Design
Design
Development
Technical Design
Documents
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