Key Concepts
The concept of global warming constitutes one of the strongest driving forces beyond the popularization of green building. Due to its enormous popularity and public recognition, it contributed to the demand for sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices on an industrial scale.
Building information modeling (BIM) is a practice of creating a 3D-model using software tools to project, evaluate, transmit, and store data on buildings. Its introduction greatly improved the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the planning phase of building design and thus contributed to its sustainability.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive attempt to evaluate the long-term impact of the structure on the environment. Since it allows to identify and weight the areas of influence, it is important for designing green buildings that are demonstrably sustainable.
One of the aspects of LCA is life cycle costing, which evaluates the financial cost of the design and maintenance of the building and is important for estimating the expenses associated with green buildings’ characteristics.
Drivers
The demand for energy consumption increases exponentially. This leads to a situation where some structures become needlessly demanding and, in some cases, unsustainable. Green buildings aim at addressing the effect of introducing efficient consumption and smart energy generation.
Growing awareness of the adverse environmental effects of traditional building techniques prompts stakeholders to seek more sustainable ways of building.
Many aspects of the traditional building are either poorly compatible with modern health standards or have inherent flaws that lead to detrimental health effects of its users. Green building techniques improve the well-being of its inhabitants and, in the case of corporate structures, serve as an addition to corporate responsibility programs. Besides, the improved environment results in customer satisfaction and employee retention.
In the case of corporate customers, green buildings allow to strengthen the reputation and improve brand image by communicating the readiness to address environmental issues and take responsibility for their actions.
The communication opportunities created by the information age resulted in a dramatic surge in demand for transparency. As a result, the company is expected to be held accountable for the provided services. Green building is, therefore, necessary for compliance with the new standards.
Barriers
Legal regulations: Many standards and systems exist for green building in different countries, and some jurisdictions do not have standards at all.
Cost: currently, the materials and equipment required to comply with the standards can be more costly than its traditional counterpart.
Technological proficiency: some of the elements used in the green buildings (e.g. solar panels, heat redistributors, and accumulators) require significant sophistication to ensure sustainability.
Amount of change: on many occasions, the combined volume of legal, organizational, administrative, and ethical change required for the transition discourages the companies from utilizing the green building.
Lack of understanding: some customers do not have a correct understanding of the benefits of green buildings due to poor communication or distortion and misinterpretation of data and are therefore reluctant to adopt the practices.
Certifications
Five certification systems are CASBEE, LEED, BREEAM, Green Globes, and Green Star. BREEAM is one of the oldest systems and is therefore widely presented around the world. It takes an encompassing approach by introducing multiple standards and modules for different areas. The assessment takes a cumulative approach by calculating points for compliance with set goals in each of several categories.
Green Globes is a recently introduced system that incorporates three modules – for existing buildings, structures under construction or significant renovation, and assessment of commercial interiors. It is web-based and flexible and applicable to a wide range of facilities. The evaluation process requires the assistance of a team and a project manager. It is built upon existing systems and is simplified and streamlined for a seamless certification process.