K–12 school districts, colleges, and universities are increasingly interested in the benefits of Green facilities, which are designed to increase the productivity and well-being of students and teachers, lower operating costs, and reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment. Green facilities provide a range of significant benefits including better student performance, an increased ability to attract and retain teachers, and an improved image in the community. Projects that incorporate Green features also have lower total costs over time due to reduced energy costs and more efficient operations overall.
K–12 school districts and higher educational institutions are facing demands that students meet the higher standards required for the United States to remain competitive in more integrated, global markets. In 2004, $33.9 billion of educational construction projects were completed, and K–12 school districts are estimated to spend $6 billion each year on energy costs alone. With institutions working to raise educational standards in a time of budget constraints, the potential of Green facilities to boost student performance while saving money should be irresistible.
But while Green educational facilities are less expensive than traditional facilities due to more efficient operations, many educational institutions don’t consider long-term project costs in their planning at all. And even for institutions that do, most still give by far the greatest emphasis to initial project costs, often forgoing the cost savings and educational benefits that Green construction provides.
These are the most important findings of the 2005 Green Building Market Barometer. This is the second year that the Turner Construction Company has conducted a broad assessment of the views of senior executives on Green buildings. The 2005 Market Barometer surveyed 665 senior executives, with a special focus on Green building issues in educational facilities. In addition, the views of executives from organizations working with a wide variety of different types of facilities were solicited on the benefits and costs of Green construction.
Schools key survey findings are summarized here.
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