Architects and clients around the world are embracing sustainable design, using their vision and skills to create buildings that give back to the environment, brightening the future for future generations. The desire to build green, however, is tempered by project realities, especially budget, and by the perception that sustainable design must always cost more.

Davis Langdon conducted an in-depth study of our current projects to analyze the cost of sustainable buildings.  ‘Green’ buildings were compared to buildings with similar programs, but which do not have sustainable goals. Building budgets were analyzed to assess what, if any, supplemental funding was directed towards the sustainable effort.

From this analysis we conclude that many projects achieve sustainable design within their initial budget, or with very small supplemental funding. This suggests that owners are finding ways to incorporate project goals and values, regardless of budget, by making choices.