The array of advanced technological solutions presented in the prior section is tantalizing to the innovative architect and engineer. What’s involved with creating the architectural solutions such as those given in the Case Study section? What’s the requisite mentality needed for the design team, building owner, and occupants? Are there design tools available that can help one quickly understand whether a given strategy is viable for a particular site? Clearly, the process needed to achieve high-performance in buildings requires an integrated approach, where a team of experts work together to engineer an architectural solution that is both functional, comfortable, energy-efficient, and perhaps inspirational.

This section discusses the design process for achieving a high-performance commercial building, the criteria used for decision-making, scenarios of decision-making and post-construction issues. Highlights of individual interviews made with architects, engineers, and owner representatives are used to illustrate some of the complex issues and processes involved with following through with a high-performance façade.

A round table and workshop event was held at Southern California Edison in Irwindale, California on April 30, 2002. Results from this event are presented in this document. The round table event solicited input from 24 representa-tives of architecture, engineering, academia, and industry to determine the driving force behind the interest in high-performance all-glass façades and to determine what information sources and design tools were used or needed to develop such façade systems. The workshop event featured five presentations by architects, engineers, and researchers who have implemented or studied advanced façade systems.

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