It’s not always easy building green
Architects are familiar with the challenges of building sustainably. From affordability to aligning with stakeholders, it’s an unfortunate truth that sustainable construction comes with its own set of complexities.
Meet the Compass Model. This free tool created by EFFEKT Architects and VELUX offers a simple, holistic framework for the planning, ideation and design of sustainable buildings. Using seven strategic drivers, the Compass Model streamlines collaboration between teams, while ensuring quality and integrity throughout the entire design process.
You’ll be able to make more informed, sustainable design decisions from the start, with little cost and effort. The earlier these considerations are brought into the process, the greater the impact.
The model
The Compass model provides the foundation for Living Places and serves as a strategic tool which outlines seven points of relevancy to guide the building and development process.The Compass provides an incremental approach to guide the building and development process and is layered in three steps:
- Each new project begins with an evaluation of the ‘Strategic Drivers‘ that are most pertinent and can ensure the greatest positive impact. Strategic drivers: Relevancy drivers are used in the early stages of a project. This enables the team to constantly benchmark ideas and concepts against these drivers.
- Project teams then draw on 24 ‘Design Drivers‘ as input for the concept development process, based on the brief and specific needs of the project. Design Drivers: Design drivers are used when the user has developed a concept/strategy for their project. This stage provides a wider range of parameters to be aware of and use in the design development of a project.
- An extensive set of ‘Performance Drivers‘ provides targeted solutions and strategies for the more advanced stages of design. Performance drivers: The Compass provides a list of Impact drivers to ensure that the ambitions from stage 1 & 2 are achieved. The list of decisions ensures that the drivers are turned into tangible solutions for the project.
This wonderful project is detailed and freely available at the Compass website.
