First 2008 Autodesk/RIBA Green Index shows growing recognition that green design brings lower operating costs

RIBA, London, 15th December 2008 - Autodesk and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) have announced the results of the 2008 Autodesk/RIBA Green Index, a new survey that measures RIBA members’ practices and perspectives on green building.  The survey shows that architects are taking personal responsibility for the impact of the construction industry on the environment with 88 per cent agreeing that they should practice sustainable design wherever possible.   Importantly, they also see clients as a major influencer – with 70 per cent of architects saying they are a driving force in facilitating greener design.  This suggests that building owners and developers now recognise that green design results in lower operating costs and, therefore, reduced total cost of ownership of a property.

Although Autodesk has partnered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to publish an annual Green Index in the US, this is the first time the Green Index has been measured in the UK.  According to Adrian Dobson, RIBA director of practice, its publication is timely, showing that despite the economic downturn, sustainable design and construction is still a key issue in the industry.  “The Autodesk/RIBA Green Index shows client interest in green building is really starting to take off with over half (53 per cent) believing this is being helped by the reduced operating costs of green buildings.  This contradicts the popular belief that when money is scarce, clients are more worried about initial costs than long-term savings and are not so concerned about their environmental credentials,” he says.

While half of the respondents say that their clients inquire about green design specifications on at least 50 per cent of their projects, the other half admit that they are the ones to initiate the conversation – suggesting that architects now feel so committed to sustainable design that they are becoming more skilled at putting forward their case and convincing clients.

Practical moves
The Autodesk/RIBA Green Index also throws light on how architects are moving forward in the adoption of green design practices.  The use of salvaged, refurbished, recycled or reused building material products is the most popular practice with attention to renewable on-site energy sources close behind.

The list of top green design practices includes:

- Using salvaged or recycled building material products    64 per cent
- Implementing renewable on-site energy sources         59 per cent
- Including retention tanks for storm water run-off      56 per cent
- Using design software to explore alternative materials    41 per cent
- And to specify, predict and evaluate solar heating      41 per cent

Growth areas over the next five years are predicted to include the use of “green” or vegetated roof covering and highly reflective roofing material – plus the use of design software to specify material quantities and schedules to minimise construction waste.

Increased collaboration
The survey also considered the rise in collaboration and integrated workflow in order to ensure more sustainable design.  It reflects the steady take-up of building information modelling (BIM) with more than 20 per cent of architects now incorporating this process into their practice.  One third consult with civil engineers to add value on at least half of their green building projects but only just over a quarter (27 per cent) currently measure the carbon footprints of their projects.

“It’s highly encouraging that the 2008 Autodesk/RIBA Green Index shows that the vast majority of British architects recognise the importance of designing more sustainable buildings – and, perhaps, even more encouraging is that clients are beginning to recognise the value, especially when it comes to the total cost of ownership of a building throughout its lifecycle.

“But it appears there is still plenty of room for architects to adopt sustainable design more cost-effectively, with only half using design software for simulating, testing and analysing alternative materials and the performance of the building through its lifetime. This presents a huge opportunity for firms wanting to sharpen their competitive edge, while still designing in an ethical way,” says Pete Baxter, Autodesk AEC sales director for Northern Europe.

For a copy of the complete 2008 Autodesk/RIBA Index please email: [email protected]