Discussion Summary
July 7th, 2010
Hospitality’s Green Movement
What is a green hotel?
Sustainable verses Green
In hotels it more than the built environment, it must include the operations and service.
Do consumers demand “real” sustainable design verses “green washing”? Do they know the difference?
As interior designers we have the obligation and opportunity to educate our clients.
Where are we at in the green movement? Is it still a movement or are we getting beyond that as it becomes more mainstream?
Sustainable design for Hospitality is definitely not mainstream, however, as of Jan. 2010 USGBC reported the following:
- 40 lodging properties have achieved LEED Certification
- 900 are registered with LEED and working toward certification.
- These numbers only represents properties trying to achieve LEED certification. There are others, so it is growing, and moving forward.
The Living Building ChallengeTM is the Cascadia Region Green Building Council's call to the design and construction community to pursue true sustainability in the built environment. Imagine a building that generates all of its own energy with renewable non-toxic resources, captures and treats all of its water, and operates efficiently and for maximum beauty.
How has the current economy affected it? And what is the cost?
The nature of humans to support what doesn’t impose on them.
How has green changed through the years? What has forced this change?
It was not affordable – now supply and demand has made it more affordable.
Many Rating Systems – Private and independant.
NSF Standard for Carpet, GreenGuard and SMART for Furniture, Cradle to Cradle
Interior Designers are more educated and are better qualifiers of sustainable product.
What are some of the apprehensions you have faced when introducing sustainable design to your client?
More Clients are in a position that requires them to care only about up front cost. They are not responsive to the live cycle cost. We need to educate ourselves and be able to show our client the benefits, long term savings and ecological sustainability
What’s the biggest misconception out there about the LEED process?
“It doesn’t apply to Hospitality design. Hospitality should have its own set of requirements. It is too different from other project types.” This is true, but certification is still attainable. If the client is not up to going for LEED certification the principles and concepts of sustainable design still apply.
It costs more to make a building sustainable.
“In fact the resulting outcome actually saves the owner and operator. Depending on where the project is located, and what strategies are implemented, the cost can be as low as .2 percent, which may be recovered within 18 months. The return on investment over 10 years can be huge.”
~Cliff Tuttle of ForrestPerkins, Luxury+Green=Nines, by Eric Stoessel
USGBC lists the following economic benefits to a LEED Certified building
Economic benefits:
- Reduce operating costs
- Enhance asset value and profits
- Improve employee productivity and satisfaction
- Optimize life-cycle economic performance
What are the biggest challenges to reaching LEED certification or the most important things to consider when approaching it as a goal?
The LEED system needs to address hotel operations.
Currently if you are going to achieve LEED Certification the only rating systems are LEED for New Construction and LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance.
USGBC is working to develop specific modifications that recognizes the unique building opportunities and challenges of lodging facilities.
USGBC recognizes that the following, are unique to the hospitality industry and need to be taken into account.
Onsite amenities, food and beverage operations, pool and laundry operations, convention facilities, frequent renovation cycles, and transient guest population.
There is no release date at this time for a Hospitality Rating system, though it is in process.
The LEED Sustainable rating system is not perfect, but t is driving meaningful changes to buildings.
Are you sick of the color green yet? Do you prefer any of the other terms to describe it?
Yes, better descriptions are as follows:
Sustainable, responsible, practical, moral choice
What are some green design elements that are often overlooked?
Air quality - Plants in spaces, exterior landscaping,
Bring consultants all together early on for collaboration and efficiency.
Helpful resources
LEED Casestudies
Valuable Resources and Advantages for Greening your Hotel
The Living Building Challenge
