Building Design + Construction recently released their Green Building Research White Paper (the fifth in a series of annual reports on the green building movement). The October 2007 white paper looks at the Green Building sector through 12 research studies of building owners, facility directors, and end users in key sectors: healthcare, corporate offices, schools, higher education, hospitality, and residential.

I would like to thank all members of the AASHE community who took the time to answer the survey on Higher Education that was sent out in August 2007. The results, some of which are highlighted below, were the results of the scientifically drawn sample that included members from three major higher education organizations: Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), AASHE, and the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA).  It is also important to note that AASHE had the highest level of response to the survey, go and pat yourself on the back :)

The report  demonstrates that the movement for green buildings on campuses has reached a critical mass, take for instance this finding, "Eighty-five percent of respondents said their colleges and universities had incorporated sustainable design principles in recent building projects".

"AASHE members reported the highest return for student improvement based on green building: 40% of those surveyed said they had seen better performance in the green classrooms than in conventional ones".

The part I liked most about the report was the discussion on overcoming the barriers to green buildings on campus. The report found that while initial cost of construction is still a persistent perceived obstacle, this barrier seems to be fading. Take for instance this statistic: "88% of respondents either agree or strongly agree that colleges and universities are more willing today than they were three to four years ago to invest in green building projects". And how much more?: "47% said a premium of 5% would be acceptable, 17% said they felt their institution would devote an additional 6-10% while only 9% of respondents said a cost premium for green would not be acceptable".

The entire report (and four previous white papers) is available as a .PDF at www.bdcnetwork.com/whitepaper, go check it out!