Sustainable Design Delivers Real Returns in Retail Construction

By Terry Dalton



Is it really less expensive to incorporate sustainable design into retail projects? Absolutely! Let's explore the value of sustainable design and the practices that will allow you to realize that value over time.

Retail and green building

During the past decade, the green building movement has become more influential in public, institutional and private construction design. However, retailers and retail developers are just starting to engage major sustainability initiatives. This is significant because the retail sector comprises the second largest commercial building sector, only slightly behind office buildings. And as such, it has a tremendous impact on the environment.

Green building practices can reduce the environmental impact of retail construction. But some developers are reluctant to fully embrace sustainable design because they fear that it will result in additional construction costs.

One must look at long-term benefits over the lifecycle of the project, from design to construction to ownership and operation to realize the true economic value of sustainable design. The fact is that good sustainable design reduces operating and maintenance costs, reduces water and energy consumption, enhances building marketability and increases productivity. Furthermore, sustainable design adds value to retail branding by communicating an environmental responsibility message.

Sustainable design practices that deliver great returns

How can you achieve the benefits of sustainable design in a retail project and receive the greatest returns? The following practices are just some of ways you can accomplish this:

Site - Select sites in urban areas with easy access to public transportation. Careful site selection will maximize land use efficiency, minimize traffic and related air quality issues, and reduce the negative impact of construction on undeveloped areas.

Water – Optimize water use with highly efficient plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems. In addition to being environmentally responsible, this design practice will save a bundle in operating costs.

Energy – Design so that mechanical systems will effectively meet all functional requirements at the minimum energy consumption level. This includes allowing for monitoring HVAC and refrigeration systems continually to ensure optimal calibration. The amount saved with this design practice is impressive.

Materials – Good sustainable design takes into account construction materials and the process for using those materials. Salvaged and recycled materials play an important role in green construction, as do regionally produced materials. In addition to reducing the environmental impact of the project, this design practice reduces overall material costs. Facilitating the recycling of construction waste is another key component of this design practice, protecting natural resources from continuous depletion and preventing construction waste contamination.

Building – The building envelope provides the thermal barrier between the indoor and outdoor environment. Designing for highly effective building envelope thermal insulation is a key determinant of a building's energy use. Proper building envelope thermal insulation will lower the initial cost of equipment and also reduce excessive use of mechanical systems due to thermal leaks. Another sustainable design consideration is daylighting, which is the controlled admission of natural light to reduce or eliminate electric lighting. Daylighting creates a more productive work environment while significantly reducing lighting costs.

As more data is being gathered, there is significant financial evidence that sustainable design is a smart business choice. Understanding sustainable design practices and how you can benefit from them will help your company succeed.

Terry Dalton is founder, CEO and executive principal of Charlotte, N.C.-based DMR Architecture. He can be reached at 704-372-0116 or visit www.dmra.biz.