Audrey
From automobiles to agriculture, there isn’t an industry in the world that the green movement hasn’t touched, and the construction field is one of the areas impacted most.
In commercial architecture, the trend is turning to sustainable materials and construction techniques. These eco-friendly options are slowly replacing traditional methods.
Both civil and structural engineering disciplines have evolved to include sustainable design in the foundational principles of their fields. (To understand the difference between civil and structural engineers and when you might need to hire one, read this article by ZP Architects.)
How are sustainable materials and the construction techniques that use them transforming today’s commercial architecture? We’ll dig into those answers here.
1. Sustainable Designs in Business
Progressive methods of sustainable design are not only available but often in high demand in commercial architecture. This demand is partly due to enhanced coding regulations that require businesses to prove how they are integrating technology to lower their carbon footprint and because many company owners understand the importance of green living.
The company can benefit altruistically and financially by making a few minor or moderate changes in a structure’s interior and exterior design. At the same time as these sustainable adjustments are improving the health of the planet, businesses receive advantages, which we’ll discuss next.
2. Increasing Customer Satisfaction
Without consumers, even the best-laid business plans are doomed to fail. However, the modern customer recognizes the necessity of purchasing eco-friendly products and patronizes companies that focus on streamlining their workflow to make it environmentally aware.
When a provider can market their products, services, and brand as eco-conscious, they attract a wider net of consumers. In fact, many companies have heard the cry of citizens to be “canceled” due to their irresponsible business practices, otherwise known as greenwashing.
You can stand out from the competition by ensuring your company’s brand is known for using sustainable materials and construction techniques as part of your commitment to eco-conscious business practices.
2. Improving Cost-Efficiency
Decades ago, when green practices were first suggested, many companies resisted because adopting eco-friendly measures was substantially more expensive. Today, this is no longer a barrier. Instead, going green can actively save your business money.
By incorporating sustainable techniques into your facilities’ construction and everyday operations, you reduce energy consumption. These eco-conscious materials and methods not only increase the longevity of a building and decrease maintenance and repair needs, but they also enhance overall cost-effectiveness.
Solar panels, although potentially costly initially, often quickly offset these costs through significant savings on utility bills. Integrating solar panels supports sustainability objectives in commercial settings and enables access to commercial solar PPA financing, further easing initial expenses and optimizing financial benefits.
3. Meeting Government Requirements
The trend in government regulations continues to become more green-focused. This shift means that whether you’re ready or not, and whether you agree or not, your business is going to be required to meet the government’s sustainable feature targets.
Commercial buildings account for 68% of the country’s total electricity consumption and 38% of its carbon dioxide pollution. By choosing to lower their carbon footprint by using sustainable architecture design, individual companies can help reduce this statistic.
Currently, commercial buildings have minimal safety feature requirements that also ensure more efficient usage of utilities. Those who choose to go above the minimum standards may receive tax credits and other benefits. But soon, the state and federal governments will require higher performance measures to prove greater grades of energy efficiency.
The US Department of Energy has a measure in place to roll this regulation out in controlled changes. The Commercial Building Initiative’s focus is on obtaining a goal of net-zero energy consumption for every commercial facility.
4. Implementing Sustainable Early
When you design your building for sustainability, you have the advantage of creating a cohesive structure that meets your ultimate goals. Without considering factors like energy usage and other green methods early, you risk adapting the building and its interior processes to required changes later.
Your commercial architect can listen to your goals and then consider outside factors like the environment and cost-effective locally sourced materials when designing your structure.
They’ll offer suggestions to achieve your targets, such as using techniques like rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and solar panels. Some businesses can benefit from green roofs to grow vegetation, insulate the building, and grow plants and vegetables.
Together, you can determine the best way to meet your budget and the goal of a well-designed, aesthetically pleasing building constructed from sustainably sourced materials and techniques.
Conclusion
The trend toward green living isn’t going away. It’s a necessary part of life that we all must embrace, including those in commercial construction. By choosing an architect who specializes in sustainable materials and construction techniques, you, too, can rest assured that your business is doing its part to lower its carbon footprint. With the eventual goal of net-zero energy consumption, why not start working towards that target today?
