Integrated Design

At the heart BNIM Architects’ design process is a belief in collaboration. We believe in a participatory design process that is inclusive of the various design disciplines rather than exclusive, one that looks holistically at building systems, not in isolation—we call this Integrated Design. We work with consultants and clients to develop a design that reaches our mutual goals. We don’t present a finished design to our clients; we work with them to set goals and build something together.

Through a series of charrettes, conference calls and design meetings we work together as a team to design something that is greater than any of us could achieve independently. This is especially true on projects that seek high levels of performance. The opportunity to work with and learn from the experts representing the owner is welcomed. There is much to learn from those who know the site intimately and who will work there on a day-to-day basis.

An organized process is key. By doing things in the right order a great deal of money can be saved and greater efficiency can be harnessed. We also look for solutions that solve multiple challenges at once—such as energy efficiency technologies that also improve indoor air quality. We believe sustainable buildings are high performing when all the building systems have been considered holistically for the resulting interactions that either improve performance—those that result in the greatest combination of synergies. Systems cannot be looked at in isolation. For example, the selection of glazing and shading devices must be examined along with lighting solutions and the mechanical system design, which in turn affects structure and interior design. Collaboration and communication are imperative to sustainable design. With an integrated design process each team member including architects, engineers and contractors work together to produce collaborative, and superior, solutions.