Sustainable Commercial Building Design: Is it Right for Your Business?

 

Consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton carried out a survey, the results of which were recently released by the U.S. Green Building Council, which calculates approximately the quantity of jobs that will be created by building sustainable structures over the next few years. But is sustainable commercial building design worth the investment in time, energy and money? Ask these questions to find out…

 

Two Questions to Discovering if Sustainable Commercial Building Design is for Your Business

 

 

Sustainable commercial building design meets not only immediate needs, but also have room for potential future functions. Another economic benefit of applying LEED’s loose fit, long life policy is a reduction in floor space requirements. Reducing a building’s size brings instant financial benefits, since every square foot of built space has a cost. The more adaptable a building’s floor plate and mechanical systems, the longer its shelf life.

 

 

When architects and contractors promote sustainable commercial building design, they co-create with the environment, keeping in mind the full ecological and economic impacts as they look at energy sources and development on a life-cycle basis. Advancing the green design, construction, renovation, and operations of building modeling can slash North American greenhouse gas emissions more profoundly, rapidly, and inexpensively than any other available measure, according to a recent report from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation.

 

Buildings constructed with sustainable materials (for example concrete) offer outstanding energy efficiency, safeguarding against daily temperature fluctuations and providing occupants with greater comfort and lower heating and cooling bills. Using sustainable materials for green home building and commercial applications also help to reduce the urban heat island effect, reducing the potential for smog and cutting the cost of air conditioning.