Construction Magazine March 2015 | Page 23

CONSTRUCTION TRENDS FOR 2015

Bringing the outside in

Energy conservation

No one wants to feel like they are trapped inside a building . Connect the outside with the inside using custom design elements , such as steel fabricated doors , instead of a typical aluminum storefront . Natural light is another great way to bring in some light from the outside instead of constantly running fluorescent lighting . Colour can only go so far , but finding a way to include elements of the outdoors in the design adds for another layer of complexity in the finished project .
Depending on your state and region , there may be different laws and codes to follow for energy conservation . In California , we have Title 24 , which has saved $ 74 billion in reduced electricity bills since 1977 . Energy conservation is big in California specifically , so we ’ re used to complying with strict regulations , but this trend is spreading nationally . A couple of great ways to save energy include LED lights and maximising natural light .
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