Why architects should lead the commissioning process

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["em"],["strong"]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"When architects lead\nthe commissioning process, there is a higher chance of it being more successful\nand improving the design process to produce a better crafted building."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"It is the architect\u2019s responsibility to observe, listen and research the owner\u2019s needs; to understand the physical characteristics of the site\nand the code requirements, and then develop design solutions that go far beyond\nsolving a set of problems. Coordinating and leading the commissioning process\nis a logical role for the person who is the design lead. That person is in the\nbest position to help \u201cright-size\u201d the commissioning process for the job, define\nthe scope among the different parties, and integrate the commissioning agent\u2019s contribution into the design of the building."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Commissioning is an\nopportunity to ensure that the project is designed, executed and operated to\nefficiently achieve the targets set out in the owner\u2019s\nprogram\nrequirements (OPR). A\nwell-written OPR will identify the owner\u2019s goals in quantifiable terms when possible. This means the\ndocument will point out objectives that may include directives to reduce the\nuse of water and energy from a baseline model, minimize the impact on the local\nenvironment, and provide a healthy indoor environment, which includes broad\naccess to daylight and controllability of temperature, ventilation and glare,\njust to list a few examples."]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[0],1,"Without a\nrobust commissioning process in place, architects and the design team are often\nonly reacting to situations that arise during construction."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,""],[0,[],0,"OPRs may also\ninclude engagement with the community and achievement of sustainable targets\nlike LEED or the Living Building Challenge. The content of the OPR varies from\nproject to project and is most effective when written with consideration to the\nspecific project, while leveraging the expertise of the design team. The design\nteam will then develop the basis of design (BOD), describing in detail the\nparticular technical design approaches to achieve all the goals included in the\nOPR."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The architect is in\nthe best position to educate the client on the benefits of commissioning and,\nwith the commissioning team\u2019s participation, help\nthe owner decide which systems to commission and what to include in the commissioning plan. The purpose of the commissioning plan is to map out clearly the commissioning\nprocess for the project. It will identify the systems to be commissioned, the\nmethods of verifying and testing the systems during construction, and the\ntraining of the maintenance staff before handing over the project. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"It is a fundamental\ncomponent of the architect\u2019s role to contemplate\nthe goals specific to a design and facilitate conversations with the entire\ndesign team, including the owner, to discover effective approaches that work\nacross different disciplines to reach the identified targets documented in the\nOPR."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The commissioning team should be selected based on their past\nexperience and performance. Like the design team, the members of the\ncommissioning team should be chosen with the view that they will be an\nadditional resource for the project."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Ideally, the CxAs\nwill be qualified engineers or architects with experience in commissioning\nbuildings of a similar type and size. A CxA often has more onsite experience\nthan the design team since their responsibilities require onsite observation,\ntesting and tracking of the construction processes. The Cx team is a valuable\nresource for the project; they make comments and suggestions regarding design\napproaches and help find viable solutions to unforeseen problems that arise\nduring construction."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The current\naccepted design delivery process does not ensure delivery of buildings that\nperform as per the design. Including a well-coordinated commissioning process\nwill mean that in design, the vulnerabilities of systems and details can be\naddressed during construction. "]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[0],1,"When architects lead\nthe commissioning process, there is a higher chance of it being more successful\nand improving the design process to produce a better crafted building."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,""],[0,[],0,"Commissioning is a\nproactive process that is safeguarding the design approach and by extension the\nobjectives set out in the OPR. Without a robust commissioning process in place,\narchitects and the design team are often only reacting to situations that arise\nduring construction. The last-minute nature of this kind of situation often does not allow for\nmany choices, and the design and construction team has to develop a solution\nthat may erode the original design approach."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The landscape of\nour profession has changed. Performance-based designs are becoming the norm,\nand this is a positive development. The commissioning industry is growing\nrapidly and award-winning designs are no longer confined to innovative forms;\nthe industry is shifting toward buildings that perform beautifully. The design\nprofession as a whole will benefit from integrating commissioning into the\ndesign and construction process because it will push the industry to adopt a whole\nbuilding approach and move the profession toward carefully crafted buildings.\nIf the commissioning process is tacked on or poorly coordinated, the value of\ncommissioning is watered down and it becomes an administrative exercise that\ndoes not deliver on its potential to aid in delivering a facility that is\nperforming as designed. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Commissioning\nstrengthens design; Cx is a way of ensuring that we deliver improved products\nthat are better maintained and used in a manner consistent with the owner\u2019s goals."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"About the Author"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Pamela Sams, AIA, is a technical director at the Washington, D.C. office of Gensler."]]]]}