Energy Star suggest these steps to ntegrate energy efficiency into the design approach

As guidelines for an integrated design approach, I found this set of rules from EnergyStar to incorporate energy performance into the building design:

These guidelines are a strategic management approach, not a technical reference, to incorporate energy performance in the building design process. It is a set of suggested actions for design professionals and building owners to establish and achieve energy goals. These guidelines encourage best practices for energy design as part of the overall design process, and can help translate design intent to top energy performing buildings.

• Start Right – Set energy goal and assemble design team
• Pre-Design – Investigate energy design concepts
• Schematic Design – Simulate and compare energy strategies
• Design Development – Confirm that your design energy meets the target
• Construction & Bid Documents – Include energy goal in specs
• Follow Through – Commission building, rate operational performance, and apply for ENERGY STAR

Singapore's going green

"The inaugural Singapore Green Building week started on Monday (Oct 2009) with the launch of Singapore's first "Zero Energy Building".

National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the three-storey office building showcases how it can be up to 50 per cent more energy efficient.

It cost some S$11 million (US$ 7.9 Mio) to retrofit, but the building is expected to generate as much electricity as it consumes in a year.

The government aims to get 80 per cent of all buildings on Green Mark certification by 2030.

Known as the zero energy building, the structure along Braddell Road has been retrofitted to ensure it is self-sufficient in meeting its electricity needs.

It has various green features which act as a test bed for clean energy technologies before they are introduced into the industry."

Read the full article here.

The Environmental Building

They call it the environmental buildng....

The new BRE headquater in Garston, UK, designed by architects Feilden Clegg of Bath combines all sorts of intelligent and innovative features and materials to beat current BEST CASE office buildings of it's kind by 30%.
"The brief for architects Feilden Clegg of Bath called for the use of natural ventilation, maximum use of daylighting, maximum use of the building's mass to moderate temperature, and controls that would let the building meet its environmental targets but keep its occupants happy.
In addition, maximum use was to be made of recycled and waste materials and the building was to score the highest possible BREEAM rating of 'Excellent'. And it had to look good! "
from the Building Research Establishment website.
It features all kind of fancy innovations such as transparent ceramic coated blinds that act as light shelves when direct sun would cause glare or overheating...