In the ever-greener world of the building industry, two distinct entities are discovering an inextricable link. I'm talking about developers and architects, and their connection may seem obvious; after all, developers always utilize the services of architects in the design of their buildings. However, today's architect is no longer just a designer, but someone involved with the longer-term financial viability of new projects.
It wasn't always this way. Only a short while ago, when an architect designed a building, the most important factor was the developer's vision, which was usually focused on best ways to create a property that would easily lease or sell. Now, however, it's become the responsibility of the architect to actually educate the builder about best ways to utilize green and sustainable practices in order to make their projects as attractive, or at least as marketable as possible.
This month's issue of New Jersey & Company features a roundtable of the area's three leading LEED AP architectural firms discussing how they're working hand in hand to help local developers go green; http://www.njandco-digital.com/njandco/200805/?pg=34. Interestingly enough, the education process is actually moving along faster; developers are now coming to the architects and asking what they need to do to go green. In the words of one of the roundtable participants, Keith Lesser, ISL: "Some of the developers understand all the issues and challenges, some don't--but all the good ones do."
That sums up the design side of the equation. Now it's time for all developers to understand what being good is all about.
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