4 reasons why building green makes sense for architects and developers
March 9, 2015
The green building movement has huge potential to positively impact the environment - according to the Environmental Protection Agency, green buildings can make their surroundings healthier and more sustainable by efficiently utilizing resources, creating a healthy and productive work flow that lowers a company's waste production.
Green building has benefits at the business level beyond improving air quality and lighting, and and a greater share of the the private sector has come to realize how they can utilize a green building strategy to the benefit of their finances and public relations. This creates opportunities for architects and developers equipped to incorporate green technology into their building designs, generating greater interest in clients or tenants who prioritize sustainability. The following is a list of four of the top reasons supporting this trend to design and build green sustainable projects.
1. Numerous factors are driving green building into the mainstream
The latest Research and Markets report said that the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the green building market worldwide is expected to rise by 13 percent over the next five years, according to Environmental Leader. Driving this is increasing concern over the negative impact of climate change and greater awareness of the potential for an acceptable ROI for green building investments. Likewise, governments across the globe have pushed for legislation that creates greater incentives for green sustainable building projects.
2. Green buildings offer architects, developers and tenants extra marketing leverage
According to studies cited by the U.S. Green Building Council, 35 percent of architectural clients are seeking to work with green experts, while 33 percent of the building market demand is being generated by interest in new green buildings. The resource also pointed out that buildings with green building credentials can enjoy a better profile class with which to attain more sought after tenants and green properties can expect higher rental rates, both trends that spell good news for architects and developers who implement green solutions.
3. Government to award lower interest rates for green construction
Another government incentive for green building is just around the corner, noted ForConstructionPros.com. Fannie Mae will provide lower interest rates for multifamily properties built to the specifications of a green building certification program like LEED. The incentive includes a 10 basis point interest rate reduction that would deliver nearly $100,000 in savings.
4. Proven innovative technology lowers risk to find green sustainable solutions that work
The market is full of exciting energy saving opportunities for green buildings via the latest in sustainable technology. One trend, for example, is the use of sensors that can be installed during construction and provide the building with the ability to monitor its own performance and help it run more efficiently. Equally creative is the ice-enhanced, air-cooled chiller system featured at Florida's St. Lucie County School District - the building uses stored ice as an energy storage medium to shift a building's energy load and limit peak demand, said ACHR News.
Shifting cooling load off peak reduces grid demand to enhance grid reliability, reduces building demand to lower operating costs, reduces emissions in most cases, and makes renewable generation even more viable. TechCrunch reported that buildings can even be decorated with nanoscale titanium dioxide paint that naturally improves the interior's air quality. Taking advantage of the right technology is a key part of how companies turn green building into better health for their employees.
