Autodesk/RIBA Announces 2008 Green Index Survey Results

Out of 211 RIBA clients, 70% adopts sustainable design

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 minimize 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 modeling (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 recognize the importance of designing more sustainable buildings – and, perhaps, even more encouraging is that clients are beginning to recognize 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 analyzing 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: michellea@whiteoaks.co.uk.

About 2008 Autodesk/RIBA Green Index

Autodesk and RIBA commissioned this research to better understand what has been happening and what is likely to happen in the future in the practice of designing green buildings. The 2008 Autodesk/RIBA Green Index was an online survey among 211 members of RIBA, fielded in the summer of 2008. Participating architects came from a large mix of projects. 58 per cent were working on domestic housing projects; however, architects from commercial (21 per cent), institutional (19 per cent) and industrial projects (2 per cent) were also represented. More than half of architects included in the survey were from medium-sized firms, with 52 per cent employed by firms with less than 50 employees. 16 per cent were sole practitioners and 32 per cent were from firms with 50-plus employees.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.co.uk.

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