GBA’s Pat Prendergast Makes the Case for Commissioning When AIA KC Members Meet for ‘Chow & Tell’

How does an architect improve his or her client’s satisfaction? Provide a facility that meets or exceeds that client’s/owner’s needs and expectations. Provide a facility that works. Sounds simple enough, but that was the upshot of a lively and informative presentation made by our own Pat Prendergast before some 50 members of AIA Kansas City at the organization’s October 28 “Chow & Tell,” held at the AIA office at 18th and McGee in downtown KC.

 

According to Pat, architects are the team leaders and the owners’ confidants and, as such, are in a position to bring in a commissioning agent to ensure that the building and building systems work as intended. Obviously not all buildings need the same level of commissioning. Pat used the analogy of a lawn maintenance service. The lawn care needs of a warehouse in an industrial district differ dramatically from the needs of a commercial bank in the city’s financial district. The same is true for commissioning. Consequently, one of the first steps in the commissioning process is to determine the “depth and rigor” with which the commissioning activities should be performed to provide the level of assurance necessary.

Pat went on to talk about LEED, saying that it’s great – as long as the buildings are properly commissioned to work per the operational intent and energy model. He cited an analysis of measured energy use data from 100 LEED certified buildings that found that, while LEED buildings on average use 18-39% less energy per floor area than their conventional counterparts, 28-35% of LEED buildings use more energy than their conventional counterparts. Green buildings must be commissioned to ensure that they work as intended.

These are just a few of the highlights from Pat’s presentation. To learn more, contact Pat directly at 816.842-9225 or email at pprendergast@gbateam.com.