The BUILD
Framework
Engineered certainty, not trial-and-error.
Our proven five-phase approach transforms how buildings are retrofitted.
No Baseline
Projects start without measuring existing performance — making it impossible to prove improvement.
Scope Creep
Without a structured methodology, projects expand without documentation, blowing timelines and budgets.
Vendor Lock-In
Contractor-driven specs select products before understanding the building — creating years of dependency.
Why Projects Fail
Most building automation projects fail not because of technical complexity, but because of poor process.
Traditional contractors treat retrofits like new builds: show up, install equipment, hope it works, leave when the punch list is "complete." No systematic benchmarking. No root cause analysis. No measurement of actual outcomes against promised savings.
The result? Projects that run over budget, over schedule, and under-deliver on performance.
The Solution: BUILD
A five-phase framework honed over 300+ combined years of project experience, designed specifically for the unique challenges of brownfield building integration.
- B Benchmark
- U Understand
- I Integrate
- L Learn
- D Drive
Figure 1.1: The Lifecycle of a Retrofit
Benchmark
"You Can't Improve What You Don't Measure"
The Benchmark phase establishes the performance baseline of your building systems before we touch anything. This isn't a walkthrough with a clipboard—it's a comprehensive technical assessment using calibrated instrumentation and industry-standard protocols.
System Inventory
Complete as-built documentation, I/O mapping, and software history.
Energy Profiling
2-4 weeks baseline data, load profiles, and end-use breakdown.
Protocol Mapping
Identify BACnet/Modbus, IP schemes, and gateway locations.
Delta-T Analysis
Supply/return temps, flow imbalances, and pump staging.
discovered
Understand
"Root Cause Analysis, Not Symptom Chasing"
We dig into *why* systems are underperforming. We don't accept "the chiller is old" as an explanation—we find the actual engineering root cause. This phase separates genuine equipment failure from poor control or insufficient maintenance.
Root Cause Diagnostics
Control logic analysis, thermal imaging, and hydronic balancing.
Integration Feasibility
Legacy compatibility, OT/IT security, and gateway needs.
Control Strategy
Optimized sequences, FDD rules, and energy modeling.
Financial Modeling
ROI calculation, payback period, and lifecycle analysis.
identified
Integrate
"72 Hours On-Site, Not 14 Days"
By using our Remote Lab, we replicate your network and validate every sequence off-site. We eliminate the chaos of live building commissioning.
Remote Lab (Prep)
- • System replication
- • Protocol validation
- • Sequence testing
- • Client witness test
On-Site (72 Hours)
- • Physical install
- • Cutover & commissioning
- • Optimization
- • Handover
deployment
Learn
"Continuous Commissioning, Not One-Time Tuning"
Buildings drift. We stay. The Learn phase is a 6-12 month period of active monitoring, anomaly detection, and iterative tuning to ensure savings persist as season and occupancy change.
Continuous Cx
Daily monitoring, drift identification, and loop tuning.
Anomaly Detection
FDD algorithms for faults, sensor failures, and conflicts.
Operator Enablement
Monthly training, SOP creation, and troubleshooting guides.
Measurement & Verif.
IPMVP-compliant savings reports and persistence checks.
month 6
Drive
"Validated ROI, Ongoing Optimization"
The Drive phase transitions ownership to you, backed by verified, documented ROI. We allow you to take the savings to the CFO with confidence.
Performance Tracking
Quarterly scorecards and KPI tracking (EUI, Uplift).
ROI Validation
Annual savings audit and investor-grade reports.
annually
Why BUILD Works When Others Don't
| Aspect | Traditional Approach | BUILD Methodology |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline | Rough estimate, no measurement | Instrumented 2-4 week baseline |
| Design | Vendor-driven, product-focused | Engineering-driven, outcome-focused |
| Testing | Live commissioning on-site | Full validation in Remote Lab |
| Deployment | 2-3 weeks on-site chaos | 72 hours pre-staged execution |
| Training | 2-hour walkthrough | Ongoing enablement (12 months) |
| Verification | None (trust us!) | IPMVP-compliant M&V |
| Outcome | Hopeful promises | Validated, documented ROI |
See BUILD Methodology
In the Real World
Every BUILD engagement follows the same five-phase framework — and leaves behind verified, documented results. Browse our completed projects to see benchmark data, energy reductions, and payback periods achieved through the BUILD process.
View Our ProjectsSee BUILD in Action
Every project we undertake follows this proven framework. No shortcuts, no surprises, no unvalidated promises.