Integrated Design Process

What Is It?

The Integrated Design Process (IDP) is a collaborative design approach intended to optimize performance, cost, occupant comfort, and resilience of a residential building. It involves engaging the client and key stakeholders — including the builder, designer, mechanical contractor, energy advisor, plumber, electrician, framers, and insulators — at an early design stage, prior to permit application.

IDP examines the needs and performance of a building throughout its lifecycle with the goal of ensuring that the objectives of the client are met. By aligning all parties early, system-level optimizations become possible that simply aren't achievable when trades work in isolation.

The Process

1. 1Project overview — location, housing type, number of units, construction timelines
2. 2Visioning and charrette workshops with recorded notes
3. 3Performance benchmarking activities with measured results
4. 4Perform modelling and design optimizations
5. 5Propose a choice of solutions
6. 6Generate a report with lessons learned, key strategies, and knowledge derived from the process of performing envelope and mechanical design
7. 7If building to Step 3, the report will also include a summary of the steps required to reach Step 4 or 5

Key Benefits

• Identifies performance opportunities before they become costly changes
• Reduces construction waste and rework through early coordination
• Supports BC Energy Step Code compliance at higher steps
• Produces a documented report with lessons learned and key strategies
• Improves occupant comfort and long-term building resilience