WASHINGTON – The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) recently co-sponsored a briefing on Capitol Hill that is intended to educate members of congress and their staff about the challenges facing high-performance buildings after construction is complete.
High-performance buildings require significant money and time spent on conception, design, construction, commissioning and even certification. At the conclusion of the project a high-performance building runs like a precession instrument. At that point expert design teams and contractors move onto their next project.
However, the next phase of a high-performance building is just as important as the construction. Cutting-edge systems must be delicately balanced. Day-to-day operation requires trained individuals, while occupants and maintenance personnel can derail a high-performance system without intending to. Without proper maintenance a high-performance building may consume more energy and resources than a similar conventional building.
These challenges and potential solutions were discussed at the briefing in order to ensure that high-performance buildings and sustainable design are able to deliver on their promise.
“Interior designers hold a unique position in the design and function of a high-performance building,” notes Don Davis, director of government and public affairs for ASID. “Our members are passionate about sustainable design and want to ensure that the benefits of their professional contributions to these projects are realized.”
About ASID
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people—designers, industry representatives, educators and students—committed to interior design. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 36,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 Chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Visit www.asid.org to learn more.