Everyone loves sustainable design- in theory. However, many sustainable design projects never get off the ground due to one popularly held misperception: the mistaken belief that sustainable design increases project costs.
True sustainable design will always reduce costs over the life of the project and for the community at large. That's always, as in always.
So why does sustainable design get a bad rap?
There was a time when upfront costs put off owners who didn't consider operational costs. That shortsighted view is a very expensive one, especially when you consider future energy costs. At one time some energy saving construction materials or processes did cost more than their energy inefficient counterparts. But those specialized materials saved energy costs throughout the building's life.
The good news is that the cost of those energy saving materials and processes are coming down even as their energy saving efficiencies are on the rise. They saved you money when they were more expensive, they will save you even more now that they are less expensive and more effective.
Responsible building owners aren't foolish; they will recognize genuine value when it is presented to them. Why then, don't more owners take advantage of the savings sustainable design projects offer? The simple truth is, genuine sustainable design projects are seldom proposed.
There are four hallmarks to true sustainable design:
1. The Community
2. The Local Economy
3. Energy Costs, and
4. The Environment
Omit any one of these considerations from a project and you do not have a true sustainable design project.
So while everyone supports sustainability, the fact is that community initiatives, strategies, plans and assessments often fail to include all four components of a sustainable design project.
Often one or even two of these considerations drive a project--the economy, or the environment or energy costs and the community. The overlap of interests common among the economy, the community, the environment, and energy is where the project's sustainability exists. Leave out any of those four components and you miss the opportunity to incorporate the savings that would result if they were included.
Many communities take on the laudable task of infilling and working to strengthen the community and support economic development. But how many of our communities design these projects with low-impact development design standards? How many strive to:
• Use clean energy to build and operate them?
• Use pervious pavement in order to minimize stormwater runoff?
• Construct green buildings and sites?
• Create jobs for local residents during construction and upon completion?
• Require low maintenance materials, particularly for those items the community will maintain?
• Explore what can be done to ensure the project is not a financial drain on the public or private owner?
It isn't complicated. We have to condition ourselves to think sustainability by evaluating the proposed project's effect upon the community, the economy, the environment, and energy usage. A holistic approach to sustainability strengthens communities by ensuring all four criteria for a sustainable project are satisfied.
If it's not sustainable, should it be built?
Anthony Crocamo is the Manager of Corporate Marketing for Buchart Horn, Inc. ( http://bh-ba.com/ ) a full-service international engineering and architectural firm specializing in Transportation, Facilities, and Environmental design services.
Mr. Crocamo has more than 25 years experience in providing marketing services for architectural and engineering firms. You may contact him at acrocamo@bh-ba.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment