Energy-efficient design in buildings today is too often the exception, rather than the rule. Building to code is not enough. That only means if the building was any worse, it would be illegal. The designers of exceptional buildings are showingthat integrated design-architects, engineers, clients, and, ideally, contractors working closely together from the start-creates high performance buildings without additional capital cost, just increased design time. Agreement throughout the designprofession shows that high performance buildings would be more prevalent if there were incentives to put the extra time into design integration. Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Eley Associates are working to create Performance Based Fee contracts todemonstrate "design incentive fees" that can help architects, engineers, and building owners create extremely energy-efficient buildings. These fees will reward design professionals for what they save, not just for what they spend—thus aligningdesigners' interests with owners'.
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