Do Green Buildings Sell?

Paper No. 68940

By

Thomas J. Walsh

General Manager

Presented at the A&WMA 96^th Annual Conference & Exhibition

 San Diego, CA

June 25, 2003

 Purpose of Paper

·       To determine if Green Building practices are being requested by buyers

 Definition

 ·       Green Buildings – designed for energy efficiency and constructed using environmentally friendly products

 Background

 ·       76 million residential buildings and 5 million commercial buildings in the U.S.

 ·       These buildings represent about 65% of the total U.S. electricity consumption

Contents

·       Examines 3 buildings in the Greater Cincinnati Area undergoing design and construction work

-       Community Arts Center

-       Elementary School

-       Shopping Mall

·       Discusses a visit to local Home Products Expo

·       Reviews national trends on Green Buildings

Findings

·       Community Arts Center – considered features of Green Building design

 -        Passive solar sighting

 -        Roof overhangs

 -        Sound stormwater runoff collection/infiltration measures

 -        Energy efficient lighting/heating

 -         Use of environmentally friendly building materials

 Findings (continued)

 ·       Elementary School

 -        No discussion of Green Building during fund raising activities or construction

 -        School’s layout and design prevents use of natural lighting, energy efficiency and runoff controls

 -         Later discussions with architects indicated small school and lack of funding (perceived cost increase) prevented Green Building design considerations

 Findings (continued)

 ·       Shopping Mall

 -        No communications on Green Building design

 -        Phone calls and emails unanswered

 -        Architect selected after paper was written

 -        Web site/newspaper article did not discuss Green Building

 Findings (continued)

 ·       Home Products Expo

 -        Green Building opportunities/products are available to consumers

 -        Custom designed home buyer asks for energy efficiency/environmentally friendly products

·       National Trend Review

 -        Green Building Designs/Constructions are growing

 -        Legislation at state and local government levels is encouraging green building

 -        Industrial (Ford) and Office (Toyota) facilities using Green Building design

 Conclusions

 ·       Green Building practices are being requested on a limited basis (by the knowledgeable and financially secure)

 ·       Consumers can have choice of Green Building designs and environmentally friendly products

 ·       Cost of Green Building is a factor for consideration

 ·       Legislation and economics will drive Green Building

 ·       Bottom line cost incentive needs to be marketed

 ·       Tree-hugger and social responsibility marketing plans don’t seem the way to go

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