Green Buildings

Improving the sustainability performance of existing buildings, and developing the eco-design of new ones, is increasingly driven by the many stakeholders involved with the ownership, operation and occupancy of the various types of building enterprise. These buildings can include housing and offices, shopping complexes, and industrial establishments, to hotels, schools and hospitals.

Stakeholders range from those corporations building and owning the various types of properties, to tenants, patrons, and visitors. They want to know that they work or visit a building which has the minimum impact on the environment in terms of the resources consumed and waste created, whether this is in the actual construction of the building, or in the way it is operated and maintained.

Key focus areas for eco-design and operation include:

• Selection of materials of construction which are preferably renewable, and with a low footprint of manufacture
• Optimized water and energy-use efficiencies
• Use of alternative technologies that improve sustainability performance