Everyone, from the owner to the operator, has something critical to contribute to the improved function or performance of the design and everyone must be heard.
Having said that, there are about two dozen actors involved in the design and construction of every building, from gleam-in-the-eye through to operations, and it sometimes is just not practical to have everyone in the room at all times on every issue.
In addition to the usual design team, the core team that needs to be engaged at all times should include, at a minimum, the building owner or owner’s agent, the design facilitator, a cost consultant, an energy simulator and, if the procurement process allows it, a general contractor or contract manager. Representatives of user groups and the facility managers are critical to improved design and should also be invited. Other specialists in particular technologies or relevant issues can be brought in as needed. Energy modelers are also important in showing the energy costs related to particular design scenarios compared to others. Reviewed by Moishe Alexander.