Do you want to advance your career? Here are six trends to watch in ?16:
- Learn about the WELL Building Standard and earn your WELL AP. In 2016, sustainable, green buildings will be expected to contribute to the wellness of its occupants. LEED certification incorporates both the built environment and occupant comfort, but an innovative rating system could take occupant health and safety standards to a whole new level. The WELL Building Standard was developed by a leading group of practitioners, physicians, and researchers, whose objectives were to approach wellness holistically and to qualify claims made by the WELL Standard connecting human health to the built environment.
- Real estate investors demand green building worldwide. Real estate industry experts confirm that LEED-certified buildings cost less to operate, have higher lease-up rates and retain higher property values. In today’s market, certified green buildings are high quality collateral that lenders value. New guides have even been developed to educate lenders on high performance building features and their true impact on the building appraisal.
- Interest in wellness will drive walkable, multi-use neighborhoods. The people have spoken. They want neighborhoods that are walkable, multi-use and create a sense of community. From Millennials to Baby Boomers, people want smaller homes that are within walking distance of public transit and commercial areas. In additional, a recent AIA survey of homeowners found that simple, contemporary, and low-maintenance homes are trending as preferred residential
- Job opportunities are booming in green building and green construction. LEED will continue to contribute significantly to the economic impact of green construction on the U.S. economy. Between now and 2018, LEED construction will add $109 billion to the GDP, support 1.4 million jobs and provide $96 billion in labor earnings. More and more people are positioning themselves for career advancement with this in mind, pursuing a LEED credential to demonstrate expertise in the booming area of green building. The two types of LEED credential are the LEED Green Associate and the LEED AP with specialty.
- LEED will focus on resilience. Buildings will need to be resilient in the face of looming dangers caused by climate change. Increased flooding, drought, and more severe weather will require buildings that are both sustainable and resilient. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released a LEED Climate Resilience Screening Tool for LEED v4 projects. The tool is a complement to a suite of LEED Pilot Credits on resilience that offer project points towards LEED certification.
- There will be more green building in developing countries. Through financial incentives and increased access to decision-making tools, developers in these countries will be constructing more green buildings.
