The Integrated Approach to HVAC and Building Envelope: A Strategy for Net‑Zero Ready Construction
In today’s rapidly changing climate and market environment, energy‑efficient buildings are no longer a luxury — they are a necessity. With regulatory pressure rising and tenants increasingly demanding lower operating costs and healthier indoor environments, the construction industry must shift from traditional siloed workflows toward truly integrated design methodologies. The Integrated Approach to HVAC and Building Envelope: A Strategy for Net‑Zero Ready Construction , a guide by Charles Nehme , delivers a concise, powerful roadmap for making that shift. ( play.google.com ) Why Integration Matters Historically, building design has treated the HVAC system and the building envelope as separate disciplines. Architects finalized the envelope, and only afterwards would engineers size mechanical systems to meet the resulting loads — often leading to oversized equipment, higher costs, and ongoing energy waste. The integrated approach redefines this paradigm by treating the envelope ...