Using an integrated performance approach in building assessment tools

The shift from 'green building to 'sustainable building entails a number of great challenges and opportunities for the developers and users of planning and building assessment tools. The current assumption is that a new generation of building assessment tools is required to meet the current and forthcoming requirements associated with the description and assessment of each building's contribution to sustainable development. Existing design and assessment tools do not address the many economic, social and performance facets over the life span of a building, and do not provide building assessment results for all dimensions of sustainable development. Different assessment tasks within the design process are analysed, and approaches for the further development of building assessment tools are considered. The integration into a 'job-sharing approach with other instruments and measures of the design, construction and management phase are proposed. A proposal for a comprehensive system for the description and assessment of 'integrated building performance is offered. Recommendations are given for its implementation within the next generation of building assessment tools.