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Energy efficiency driven by architect's clients

As developers recognise that more energy efficient and sustainable buildings lead to lower costs, more are asking architects to incorporate green design principles in their plans, according to a new survey.

While 88 per cent of architects believe they should practice sustainable design whenever possible, some 70 per cent said that client demand was a driving force behind the adoption of green buildings.

The government's regulatory framework was also cited by 75 per cent as a driver of green design.

The survey by the Royal Institute of British Architects and Autodesk revealed high levels of concern for climate change among architects.

But it also showed that it wasn't just the architects that cared about it, with clients being the ones to bring it up about half of the time.

The surveyed architects said that the largest reason clients express an interest in green measures is to reducing their operating costs.

In meeting client and regulatory demands for green design features architects are using salvaged refurbished or recycled material (64 per cent), installing on-site renewable energy (59 per cent) and a retention tank for storm water runoff (56 per cent).

According to an Energy Saving Trust survey earlier this year home buyers are prepared to pay more for pay more for more energy efficient homes.

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