Green Building Benefits and Barriers:
Learning Curve

The financial, economic, and social benefits of green buildings are worth the investment of time and resources in learning about and planning a green building. However, learning curves can pose significant challenges for building teams that are not prepared for them.

Understanding the learning curve

Because the process for designing, siting, and constructing a green building is still relatively new, it takes some time for design and construction teams to get up to speed on ways to incorporate green features into a building. It can be particularly difficult to know which green elements will have the most impact at the least cost. The process of applying for rebates and certification may also add to costs and extend schedules for first-time green building teams. As a result, the up-front costs of a green building can be higher than expected for a first-time team. (Refer back to Upfront Costs vs. Lifecycle Savings to see why these slightly higher upfront costs still make the building a sound investment.)

This learning curve is reduced as team members gain more experience. As architects, engineers, and construction managers work on more green projects, they become familiar with the general approaches and elements required for green building.

Now that green building is entering the mainstream, there are many resources available to building professionals, owners, and operations and maintenance managers. Case studies and feasibility studies from other projects can help teams understand the approaches and roadblocks that other teams have encountered. Training and certification for individuals through a number of organizations provide the foundation needed to get started on a green project. Guidelines and standards for green building like the LEED rating system offer frameworks for the consideration and incorporation of various green features.

A number of resources on streamlining the green building process are listed in the How to Get Involved section.

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