A study of five remarkable buildings performed by the National Institute of Building Sciences' Facility Maintenance & Operations Committee to find out what constitutes "better" buildings. Case Studies reveal how planning, designing, constructing and operating buildings with an emphasis on what they will cost over their entire life cycle, including costs for energy, cleaning, maintenance and repair, results in not only less expensive buildings, but better buildings. The five facilities studied are successful because the people involved borrowed good ideas from colleagues and were smart enough to know when they needed help. This document shares their success and wisdom with a larger audience.