INFRASTRUCTURE
AS GREEN BUILDING mandates , like those in France and Dubai , continue to emerge around the world , buzz only continues to grow around the eco-friendly trend . Commercial architecture has embraced the practice and the adoption rate from residential homeowners is gaining momentum . According to Adrian Pye , the success of this booming practice can be attributed to five factors that together generate real benefits for home and building owners .
Economical Sustainable building presents lower lifecycle costs than conventional construction projects and yields greater returns . From a shortterm perspective , the upfront expense of sustainable products appears to be more than traditional materials and although this initial investment seems daunting , the lifecycle cost of sustainable building outweighs the initial cost from a long-term perspective .
These buildings are more efficient and on average save 30 percent annually on energy and water usage . Home owners or facility managers can use these savings to quickly replace the funds needed for the upfront costs . The longevity of these products , especially for a commercial or public space , provides an economic advantage because they are less expensive to maintain and repair .
Environmental With LEED initiatives gaining popularity , the gap between natural and artificial is shrinking . LEED , or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design , certifications are based on a rating system that recognises a building ’ s sustainability . These reputable certifications are driving architects and building owners to seek sustainable , high performing materials to create alternatives to traditional systems such as geothermal heating and cooling systems and solar power . Many homes and buildings around the world are also adopting net zero energy certifications , which means the structures generate the same amount of energy they consume .
These energy efficient buildings , such as the highly publicized Bullitt Center in Seattle , Washington , reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere , explained Pye . To shrink the gap
8 June 2015