SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CONSULTING

OWNER’S DESIGN STANDARDS / GUIDELINES / PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

 

WBS can assist you in creating or updating your design standards/guidelines/requirements so that architects, engineers, contractors and subcontractors are designing and constructing your facilities to meet your standards for easier operation and maintenance. Building and portfolio owners who effectively communicate their requirements during the design phases reduce change orders during the construction phase, helping to keep projects on time and on budget. We interview key stakeholders (capital planning, facilities management and staff, building users, etc.) to understand key requirements. WBS then documents the standards using the OmniClass Master Format codes that are easily incorporated into the design and construction phases and contract documents.

ENERGY MODELING

 

Energy modeling has evolved from benchmarking the energy using systems to informing designers how to create sustainable, resilient buildings that use fewer natural resources and reduce carbon emissions that impact climate change. WBS staff was instrumental in creating the annual ASHRAE Building Performance Analysis Conference in 2012 and its evolution since that time. WBS provides a variety of energy analysis and modeling services based on client needs, including whole building simulation and life cycle cost analysis. WBS staff hold ASHRAE BEMP (Building Energy Modeling Professional) certification, and we use both commercially available and proprietary software tools including:

  • Trane Trace 700 and 3D Plus

  • Revit Building Information Modeling – MEP Energy Analysis and Systems Analysis

  • EPA Portfolio Manager and Target Finder

  • ASHRAE Building EQ

DESIGN REVIEW / PEER REVIEW

 

WBS can review plans and specifications at any stage during a building’s design and construction to assist in identifying conflicting or missing information. Identifying and resolving issues is a key component in reducing change orders and adhering to schedule and budget goals.

OWNER’S PROJECT REQUIREMENTS DEVELOPMENT

 

The Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) is a written document that details the functional requirements of a specific project and the expectation of how the building will be used and operated. WBS has established a proprietary process that gathers input from key stake holders, including the owner, users, architects, engineers, project managers, and general contractors, to understand the project goals, determine measurable performance criteria, understand budget considerations, define benchmarks and establish success criteria.

LIFECYCLE COSTING

 

WBS has developed custom lifecycle costing tools that enable project teams to ensure that full cost analysis is performed when considering implementation of new energy conservation measures and/or value engineering exercises.

UTILITY INCENTIVE MANAGEMENT

 

WBS provides utility incentive management services on behalf of clients, including savings estimate calculations, application development and vendor management.