When it comes to adding “green” technology to building projects, the concept seems to have gone from expensive buzzword to standard feature.

Companies are interested in sustainable and energy-saving technology both for the long-term cost advantage and because they see value in creating healthier work environments for their employees.

“而不是脱离常规, 我愿意相信这是一种常态,汤姆·博尔特说, 博尔特公司的首席执行官. “This continues to be a high degree of interest for every customer, 取决于他们的资源和业务.”

在一般情况下, 可持续技术的价格正在下降, partially because demand for LEED certified projects have increased and because the technology is simply becoming more cost effective.

“这是一个非常长期的趋势,马克·汉森说。, 霍夫曼规划公司可持续服务主任, 设计 & 建设公司. “Look at what a cellular phone would’ve cost you 20 years ago. 看看你今天能得到什么. 这是类似的技术发展.”

Lower oil and gas prices are having mixed impact on projects. But because companies are becoming more concerned about health care costs, there’s a growing focus on renovating for corporate wellness — a branch of sustainability in terms of employee health, 特里萨·雷曼说, director of sustainable services for Miron Construction Co.公司. Miron’s clients are asking for things like natural lighting and zero-VOC- (volatile organic compound) emitting carpets and paints.

A new ratings system by the International WELL Building Institute developed in partnership with the U.S. 绿色建筑委员会, 所谓好, 这一趋势是否会进一步发展, 旨在消除有毒建筑材料. That’s become easier now that the cost of recycled and low- or zero-VOC materials has become comparable to building materials without these qualities.

“As a result, more of our clients are saying, ‘Well, that’s a no-brainer. Why would I intentionally not select materials that are healthy for my people at the same price as materials that are not healthy?’”雷曼说。.

整体, the cost of many LEED-certified projects with more sustainable features can be completed at the same or better cost of traditional construction, Hanson说.

“We’re working with a large client right now that wants to shrink their carbon footprint per person dramatically,汉森说. “这是他们一开箱即用的要求. 这既有趣又不寻常, but we’re maybe starting to see even more of our clients starting to look at that.”

Clients also are seeking 更多自然光 as a way to help build productivity and make attractive interior environments. Even some manufacturers are building in more natural light. LED lighting is quickly replacing fluorescents as the preferred lighting choice, 被证明更具成本效益. Some companies want to incorporate sustainability into their business so they can show both employees and customers that they take sustainability seriously, Boldt说.

“The thing that’s really neat about the industry is they’ve responded to the demand, so their basic products would be considered ‘green’ now, 这很好,博尔特说. “我们现在有了更多的选择.”