Architects continue move to green building practices

Client demand is the main driver for architects to practise sustainable design, according to 77% of respondents to the 2006 Autodesk Green Index, which provides a measure of the adoption of sustainable design by architects. That figure is up from 64% in 2005. The index now stands at 30 (on a score of zero to 100) and is expected to double by 2011. The most prevalent energy-saving initiative for architects is high-efficiency HVAC systems, with 64% of respondents specifying their use on over half their projects over the past year. Five years ago, only 36% of architects used high-efficiency HVAC systems on over half of their projects. By 2011, 85% expect to use high-efficiency HVAC systems on most of their projects. In last year’s survey, customer demand was tied with fuel costs as leading drivers for the adoption of green building practices. Jay Bhatt, vice president of Autodesk building solutions, says, ‘This year’s study reveals a growing commitment by architects and owners for supporting sustainable design principles. By enabling our customers to collaborate more effectively and estimate more accurately, Autodesk solutions help architects predict the overall lifecycle costs of their designs.’

Related links:

• www.autodesk.co.uk