A key part of this challenge is to have all members contributing to the process.

A strong project development process can help obtain the most value out of a large team.

A good collaborative process to follow is the Integrated Design Protocol, or IDP. This is a method that has proven effective in maximizing performance potential, by assembling key actors from a variety of disciplines to identify design issues early in the process, when changes can easily be made. The process can be kept effective and efficient by ensuring that the participants have relevant knowledge and skills to contribute, and that they are called upon at appropriate phases of the design process.

Elements of the IDP Process

Three meetings with some work in between will probably ensure a successful process:

1) Initial Meeting with a number of people to gather interest. Introduce to SHaC 09 and review the Design Process.

Select 1 or more design teams with members with skills in:

•     Building
•     Energy Simulation and Modelling
•     Passive Solar Design
•     Water Use
•     Real Estate
•     Design
•     Local Council
•     Engineer (Mechanical and Electrical)
•     Spatial Design
•     Historian / Anthropologist / Sociologist

2) Design Meeting 1

•  Review regional averages for Energy consumption, water use, waste production, comfort
•  Set performance targets for new/retrofit house. Energy, Cost, etc.
•  Select a benchmark design to compare with the improved design(s)
•  Undertake an energy simulation of the Benchmark design (Simulation expert)

3) Design Meeting 2

• Present and discuss the performance of the Benchmark design
• Relevant team members outline their views on the limits of performance in each subject area
• Design tradeoffs are discussed, and rough ideas for a few possible designs are selected
• After the meeting, the Designer and Simulation Expert assemble a few design options and simulate them.

4) Design Meeting 3

•  Team reviews and discusses options, selecting one or asking for a new design