Every year, the real estate industry must adapt to new emerging trends. Last year we saw lofts, stainless steel, and glass everywhere. This year we loved cherry, bamboo, and yes, elevators in single-family homes. Next year, we’re headed toward a new, more healthy and natural trend - green buildings.

It seems like the perfect time to emphasize energy efficiency. With oil prices reaching record highs this past summer, many people finally woke up. Furthermore, understanding ways to find alternatives to our very wasteful (and comfortable) lifestyles has resulted in hybrid cars, heavier recycling and the reuse of certain materials, and now, “eco-friendly” building.

Although green buildings are not a brand new trend, they have not gained much popularity until recently. With many states implemen-ting strict guidelines and regulations for future construction projects, developers are adapting rapidly. They are finding that green technologies and construction materials add no more than 1-2% to costs, a premium that is quickly recaptured by energy savings. And what a difference this makes! Corporate America—companies such as Ford, Bank of America, Target, Toyota, Honda, Starbucks and Adobe—have noticed less absenteeism, less time lost to asthma, allergies, and other related illnesses caused by mold, chemicals, and stale air. If corporations are seeing these positive outcomes, so will regular homeowners.

LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, green building rating system is currently the nationally accepted standard for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. LEED encourages a building approach geared toward sustainability in five areas of environmental and human wellbeing: water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, sustainable land development, and the indoor environmental quality. This rating system is the green building standard of choice for Federal agencies and state regulators.

The LEED certification is based on a status system consisting of: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum, depending on the amount of credits these projects are awarded. This is an incentive for developers and builders to use the most energy efficient methods of building and find new and innovative ways to build “greener.” Furthermore, four states and 17 cities offer incentives for LEED-rated private buildings. Chicago, Pasadena, and many others are now accelerating the permit procedures for builders who commit to green standards.

Chicago is encouraging its builders to become even more eco-friendly by taking the initiative to demonstrate possible methods. Downtown has become a mosaic of green roofs among its endless high-rise buildings. Even City Hall in the Loop has designed and built out a green roof. Residents can have a backyard feel in the city while helping air quality and conserving energy. Certain developers, particularly in the suburbs, have taken part in the Department of Energy’s “Building America Initiative,” a program which requires new homes to use at least 30 percent less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating. With encouragement from the government on both the statewide and nationwide levels, the real estate industry will see a significant change in the full process of home-building and home selection. 

The ideal green home would be energy-efficient, built to last, use local and reusable materials, and be designed with health and natural products in mind. Some examples of environmentally-friendly materials include floors made of bamboo, which grows back much quicker than other trees, dual flush toilets to limit water usage, solar panels on the roof and awnings that cover our windows, and a geothermal system which helps to heat and cool the building using the constant temperature of the earth. In turn, this would result in enhanced comfort and health, heighten aesthetic qualities, and improve the overall quality of life.

Not only would these methods impact social benefits, but also both economic and environmental aspects as well. Building green would reduce operating costs, create and expand markets for green materials and services, and reduce future replacement and carrying costs for short-life energy products that must be replaced. Also, we would suffice our environmental obligations by protecting biodiversity, improving air and water quality, and conserving natural resources.

Many high-scale projects are engaging in this new trend in hopes for obtaining a niche in a tough industry. They are taking advantage of the publicity and creative ways of marketing properties, which are “green.” For example, the Freedom Tower, designed by Daniel Libeskind (featured in our September issue) and the surrounding office towers will utilize cutting edge fuel cell technology in hopes of increasing efficiency as well as providing clean on-site power generation. These fuel cell installations will be some of the largest in the world today. Also, the green World Trade Center site will be a continuation of Battery Park City, one of the most environmentally active neighborhoods in the country. Together, these two areas will demonstrate New York’s dedication and the belief in the future.

Becoming green does not have to be so large-scale, however. The average homeowner may adopt this trend as well by making small changes to his or her existing home. Some improvements include non-toxic paint and finishes, wheat board cabinetry, low-flow showerheads and toilets, natural wood floors such as Brazilian cherry, recycled and locally obtained building materials, and rainwater runoff captured for landscaping. These are all simple procedures that are both eco-friendly as well as satisfactory for the owner.

We owe it to ourselves as well as our surroundings to be more progressive and active in conserving our earth. It has done so much for us and now it is our responsibility to return the same.