The results are in…when it comes to the business case for sustainability, green buildings “walk the talk.”
In a recently issued white paper, GSA outlined the results of a post-occupancy evaluation study of 22 green federal buildings from across the country; the findings compared to national average commercial buildings:
- They cost less to maintain, by 19%
- They use less energy and water, by 25%
- They emit fewer carbon dioxide emissions, by 36% and
- They have more satisfied occupants, by 27%.
The study, conducted by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, built on a good indication of the potential for increased productivity and performance pilot research completed two years ago, with similarly impressive results.
For more than a decade, the federal government has declared its commitment to sustainable building though presidential directives and executive orders, congressional legislation and governmentwide policies. PBS began its sustainable design program in 1999, and they completed their first green roof in 1975.
There’s no question that focusing on sustainability is the right thing to do for our environment: commercial buildings account for 18% of the nation’s energy use. The numbers show that greening federal buildings in most cases makes good business sense, as well. By looking critically at real world performance, this report demonstrates that the GSA is very much on track to achieve its green building goals, and that GSA is delivering high-performance, sustainable workplaces federal agencies need to fulfill their missions on behalf of the American people.
Find out more by reading the white paper. BD+C
--
Related Stories
| Nov 3, 2011
DMR Architects welcomes two new staff members
Siro Gonzalez joins the staff as junior graduate architect and Megan Byers joins the staff as marketing assistant.
| Nov 2, 2011
Mega deals drive 28% increase in global engineering and construction merger and acquisition value
Financial investors lead mega deal activity, China most active country in global domestic deals.
| Nov 2, 2011
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. breaks ground on Alexandria Center in Cambridge, Mass.
307,000-sf building to be house to executive offices of Biogen Idec.
| Nov 2, 2011
CRSI’s Manual of Standard Practice now available
This resource contains information on recommended industry practices for estimating, detailing, fabricating, and placing reinforcing steel for reinforced concrete construction.
| Nov 2, 2011
John W. Baumgarten Architect, P.C, wins AIA Long Island Chapter‘s Healthcare Award for Renovation
The two-story lobby features inlaid marble floors and wood-paneled wainscoting that pays homage to the building’s history.
| Nov 2, 2011
Jacobs announces acquisition of KlingStubbins
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced that it has acquired KlingStubbins. Officials did not disclose the terms of the agreement. Jacobs' acquisition of KlingStubbins, which has approximately 500 employees located in the United States and Asia, particularly enhances the Company's capabilities in design. KlingStubbins provides professional services in planning, architecture, engineering and interiors.
| Nov 1, 2011
Perkins Eastman opens office in San Francisco
Located at 23 Geary Street in the One Kearny building, the 8,100 sf office will accommodate a growing staff of 45.
| Nov 1, 2011
Sasaki expands national sports design studio
Sasaki has also added Stephen Sefton to the sports design studio as senior associate.
| Nov 1, 2011
Holcim awards winners for North America announced
A socio-architectural project to create regional food-gathering nodes and a logistics network in Canada's high arctic territory won the top prize for North America of $100,000.
