We are excited to ring in the New Year and to watch the growth of the green building industry in 2011. The trends for green building have remained strong, even with the economic downturn of the last few years. This is how we see five major trends for 2011:
- Better Energy Codes: In October the ICC approved changes to their international codes that are predicted to result in a 30% increase in energy efficiency for homes and commercial buildings. As more states and local jurisdictions adopt the new ICC, we will see better energy conservation for new construction and major remodels becoming mainstream.
- Improved Air Quality: Changes in air quality regulation in California and the adoption of the new LEED for Healthcare ratings system with tough new standards for interior materials and finishes means 2011 will be the year of better indoor air quality. As we have seen before, regulatory and ratings system changes for IAQ mean the design, manufacturing and construction industries quickly follow suit to meet the demand. Look for more choices in lower VOC products, natural finishes, and more rigorous testing and documentation.
- Building Information Modeling: BIM is an ongoing trend in the buidling industry, and we see 2011 as a big year for integrating green materials and methods into the BIM process.
- Integrated Process and Building Performance: This ongoing trend is a big part of the LEED 2012 draft currently being circulated for comment and eventual vote in 2011. Design and construction teams will continue to get better at integrated delivery and more interested in actual building performance, as opposed to theoretical performance. For information about the current LEED 2012 draft and comment periods, visit the USGBC web site.
- Climate Action is Hot: Business and environmental groups will push further, lobbying governments around the world to adopt climate change pacts and to move more affirmatively to investing in the built environment as an important strategy to reduce greenhouse gasses. A new international network called Global Leadership in our Built Environment (GLOBE) is a good example of broad-based business, professional associations and environmental groups gathering together to have more influence in combatting climate change.
