Survey: Client Demand, Operations Savings Drive Green Design

CHICAGO — Client demand is the leading driver for green design concepts, according to 70 percent of architects in a survey released by Autodesk and the American Institute of Architects at Greenbuild 2007.

The 2007 green index survey states that 64 percent of respondents cite reduced operating costs as the primary reason for clients’ push for green design concepts.

Of the architects surveyed, 90 percent expect to incorporate sustainable design in their projects by 2012. Less than half of architects surveyed say they were incorporating sustainable design with their projects five years ago.

The survey revealed a 25 percent increase in the number of architects using high-efficiency HVAC systems during the last five years, an 18 percent increase in the number of architects using highly reflective roofing materials, and a 17 percent increase in the use of modeling and baseline analysis.

While almost 75 percent of survey respondents believe that the building industry is headed in the right direction regarding climate change, and 54 percent believe architects are responsible for developing and implementing solutions to the issue, the survey also shows that there is still significant opportunity for increased green building practices.

Although 50 percent of architects reported having clients inquire about green building on the majority of their projects, only 30 percent of architects actually implemented green building elements in their projects. In addition, only 10 percent of architects are currently measuring the carbon footprint of their projects.

The survey was conducted online in October 2007 among 347 practicing architects in the United States . The architects were questioned on their use of 14 green design practices five years ago, during the previous 12 months and their expected use five years from now. The design practices were based on the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards.

The architects who responded to the survey were from a mix of design practices. Forty-four percent are predominantly involved with commercial projects, 32 percent with institutional, 20 percent with single family homes, and 4 percent with industrial projects.

Sixty-two percent of the architects have 15 or more years of experience. Additionally, 88 percent of the architects polled have received training in green building. The full report is available on the Autodesk Web site at: http://www.autodesk.com/green.