Integrated Design Process

Should I go through an Integrated Design Process?

An Integrated Design Process is for homeowners who:

• are in the early stages of planning a renovation and want their home to be comfortable, air tight and intentional with insulation choices and go fully electric with heat pumps.

• are willing to spend more during the planning stage knowing they’ll save on costs during the construction stage (i.e. smaller equipment, lower call-backs due to issues that could have been prevented with good planning).

• want to work with contractors who are innovative, open-minded and not just interested in doing things the way they’ve always done them.

What is an Integrated Design Process?

• The Integrated Design Process has been around for several decades and is very common with larger buildings. With the growing demand for high performance homes by homeowners and advances in the building code, it’s becoming more popular for existing residential buildings.

• The process aims to bring get everyone involved in your renovation together and before the work starts, get them on the same page with your goals. The process also leverages their valuable knowledge and in-field experience with a focus on simple yet effective solutions to potential challenges. This extra effort during the planning stage often results in better results and lower costs during the construction stage.

• The Integrated Design Process is best done before permit drawings are submitted.

• The Integrated Design Process can be iterative but generally follows three steps:

  • Discovery - Your renovation may be your once-in-a-life opportunity to make your home more comfortable, improve indoor air quality and acheive the zero-emissions home of your dreams. The process starts with capturing your goals and discussing potential constraints to make sure that the designs and decisions are working for you. The Discovery Phase usually involves at least one meeting with you, your builder, architect, and Goldfinch Energy (as the facilitator) to discuss your renovation goals, priorities, and constraints.

  • Benchmarking and Optimization - This stage involves collecting data that can help form the basis of where your home is at now. It includes an Energy Audit as well as additional testing such as ductwork testing. If there are rebates and financing options that require an energy audit, this stage can help you get enrolled in these programs. Energy modelling is done to capture several optimal scenarios.

  • Design Charette - The final stage of Integrated Design Process involves bringing together all the people who are important to the success of your renovation. The goals, energy audit and other benchmarking results are presented. Often various scenarios are presented and discussed and potential challenges are raised. The outcomes of this meeting often include decisions on window selection, insulation materials, air tightness strategies and membranes as well as mechanicals. This stage, as well as all stages is well documented.

  • Check-ins and follow-up - At critical milestones during your renovation, we’ll check in with you and lead contractors to check that the work is progressing as planned. Once your renovation is completed, since this process is focused on learning, we’ll have one last check-in to document any learnings.