Early involvement by all members of the building team is crucial to the success of high-performing buildings, according to panelists in a new video from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

Lessons learned in sustainable design can now been seen via a free online video at www.ashrae.org/roundtable. The video is a recording of a special roundtable, High-Performance Buildings: Lessons from the Leaders, originally presented at ASHRAE’s 2008 Winter Meeting.

The panelists discuss owner motivations, technical challenges, design choices and trade-offs, costs for these projects, and share perspectives about whether the expectations set early in the design process have been met once the buildings are occupied.

The panelists include representatives of New York’s best-known owner/developer firms, along with the engineering designers who bring their projects to reality. Their projects include some of the most sustainable buildings in New York City, such as 4 Times Square, the Chrysler Center, One Bryant Park and the New York Times Headquarters.

The panelists agree that it is essential that planning for the design, operation and maintenance of high performing buildings start early and involve all members of the building team. They also agree that designers and engineers should strive to incorporate new technologies and design methods.