Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings By Katherine Pettit

1. Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings By Katherine Pettit

2. Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • Agenda • Charrette Background • Elements of Charrettes • Research Results • Guiding Conclusions: • Charrettes and Best Practices

3. Investigating the Relationship of Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • Traditional Design Process • Linear • Old Model

4. Investigating the Relationship of Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • Charrette Process • Ecole de Beaux Arts • Current definitions • Sustainably focused charrettes

5. Investigating the Relationship of Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • Problem Statement • Disparity exists in defining the goals of a beneficial charrette and how the process is best employed. • Inconsistencies in participants involved, length, goals, when charrette is implemented. • Very little research has been conducted

6. Investigating the Relationship of Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • Response to Study • By April 22nd, 2003, 51projects were LEED Certified. As of August, 2004, an additional 69 projects were LEED Certified. • Obtained project contact information for 42 of the first 51 projects and 62 of the second 71 projects. • A total return rate of 44% of entire survey pool and 50% of contacted survey pool.

7. Survey CHARRETTE: An intense design workshop in which a team of individuals collaborate to develop the sustainable design of a building. TRADITIONAL PROCESS: A design process that does not include the use of charrettes or similar integrated design processes.

8. Research Results

9. Research Results • Number of Charrettes Conducted

10. Survey Q6. For each charrette conducted please identify the type of attendees.  

11. When to Conduct a Charrette Q4. Please indicate the time in the design process in which each charrette was conducted. Timing during design process Schematic Design – 49% Design Document – 39%

12. Survey Q7. Select the duration of each charrette conducted. Duration of Charrette A Few Hours – 52% One Day – 36% Two to Three Days – 6%

13. Investigating the Relationship of Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • 90% of those that conducted a charrette agreed or strongly agreed that charrettes were an important part of the project’s LEED Certification.

14. Investigating the Relationship of Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • 79% of those conducting charrettes agreed or strongly agreed that due to implementing a charrette, a building with a higher level of sustainability was achieved.

15. Investigating the Relationship of Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • 72% of those conduct charrettes disagreed or strongly disagreed that the charrette process did not assist in attaining a higher level of LEED points.

16. Investigating the Relationship of Charrettes and LEED Certified Buildings • Impressions on the charrette process • 83% of those conduct charrettes disagreed or strongly disagreed that the project would have received more points if only the traditional design process was used.

17. Research Results What were the benefits to conducting a charrette during the design of the LEED Certified Building? “(that the charrette was) a way to truly instill a sense of partnership in the successful completion of the project” “a mix of engineering expertise…helped balance areas where architects are often weak or can overlook opportunities.” “Seeing the work required from others may have helped each member of the team to approach their own work with the necessary seriousness and dedication.”

18. Results What were the benefits to conducting a charrette during the design of the LEED Certified Building? • Collaboration, Coordination, all participants contributing, cross discipline dialogue 26% • Common vision, goals set, established priorities 19% • Team building, sense of partnership, team dedication and responsibility 15% • Education, explanation of LEED 11% • Sustainable ‘buy in’, established value of sustainability, commitment 9% • Brainstorm, many ideas formulated 5% • Having resources available to make decisions 5% • LEED used, credits reviewed 5%

19. Research Results What were the challenges/problems in conducting the charrette during the design of the LEED Certified Building? “Ideas were very quickly discarded by individuals without research. Sometimes the simples approach proved to be the most effective, but it might take a while to realize this.” “It was a challenge to integrate the step into the usual design process for those less familiar with the charrette process.” “Could have benefited more if the charrettes had occurred right in the very beginning of design” “Establishing a comfort on the part of the engineers that they could participate as creative contributors.”

20. Results What were the challenges/problems in conducting the charrette during the design of the LEED Certified Building? • Logistics: Getting all involved available, costs, travel, time commitment 27% • Getting those reluctant to participate to attend, convincing of value of • charrette 13% • Facilitating, organizing 12% • Conducting charrette too late 12% • Learning curve, comfort with new process 12%

21. Research Results Do you have any suggestions for conducting successful charrettes focused on producing LEED Certified buildings? “Include a charrette description in the bid package. Make it and the results part of the mandatory deliverables in a project.” “Have a facilitator who can lead an open process and generate enthusiasm in the group to go away in advocate for a sustainable building” “The most successful charrette would be one that is held during the pre-design/programming phase of the building; ideally in conjunction with establishing the construction budget.”

22. Results Do you have any suggestions for conducting successful charrettes focused on producing LEED Certified buildings? • Making sure all stakeholders attend, multi-disciplined group, various participants 21% • Good Consultant, someone well educated in LEED, facilitator 12% • Conduct charrettes early, before design phase after programming 11% • Timing of charrettes – scheduled regularly throughout design process, allow for all day meetings 9% • Preparation and research prior to charrette 7%

23. Top 10 List Best Practices for Green Building Charrettes 6. Everyone participates (no one dominates!) 7. Know local materials/resources/incentives 8. Check your ego at the door! 9. Hold multiple charrettes during project 10. Assure that participants are prepared in advance + understand process

24. Top 10 ListBest Practices for Green Building Charrettes • Hold charrettes early (and often) • Make sure ALL stakeholders are represented • The charrette facilitator must be versed in LEED and green bldg. • Someone must be charged with championing the charrette results through the project • Establish clear charrette and project Goals