Architect Touts Green Benefits

The demand for sustainable design and green building is expected to increase dramatically by 2010.

Shane Fernandez, corporate director of architecture for Crafton Tull Sparks, said about $12 billion was spent on green building efforts in 2008. In 2010, a projected $60 billion will be spent on green building.

The commercial demand is also increasing, he said. By 2010, 10 percent of construction starts are projected to employ green building methods.

Fernandez presented the benefits of green building at the Northwest Arkansas Green Expo in Bentonville on May 8.

While green design can reduce a building’s environmental impact and provide cost savings, he said, one less obvious benefit is the effect on productivity in the workplace.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, green work environments reduce absenteeism and turnover by creating a more comfortable workplace.

Buildings seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification can earn points for energy efficiency, conservation of materials and resources, sustainable site planning, water efficiency and indoor environmental quality.

 “Not only are our clients wanting to go LEED, they’re getting into competition with each other in terms of what level of LEED they’re going to,” he said.

Businesses are starting to see the economic benefits of LEED construction, Fernandez said.

Benefits can include an 8 percent to 9 percent decrease in operational costs, a 7.5 percent increase in the building value and a 6.6 percent return on investment.