The green building sector has gone through a stark transformation over the past decade. While green building principles have been around for some time, interest in and innovation on the green building front have boomed, allowing it to go through a rapid period of growth and development.
Perhaps one of the biggest and most obvious evolutionary effects that has touched the green building sector is the decrease, and in some cases removal, of the ‘greenie’ stereotype.
Green building was initially met with a perceived notion of inadequacy and digression. Many initially marked the entire sector as a move towards the hippie lifestyle, something that would mean a devolution of modern industry practices and a downgrading in the luxurious lifestyles to which more traditional building practices catered.
However, as the industry has grown both technologically and ideologically, green building now symbolises prime real estate, top-end developments and a better, more value-filled lifestyle.
This drastic change in perception surrounding the industry is in large part due to the development of spaces that include luxury features while being designed and developed on a basis of green ideologies.
The 4 Star Green Star – Multi Unit Residential Design PILOT rated Convsso 8 Waterside Place designed and delivered by Lend Lease is but one example of this.
Standing as one of the first developments in Australia to feature smart meter displays in all of the apartments, Convesso is a distinct mix of elegance, luxury and sustainability. According to Lend Lease executive director Hugh Martin, this move was a conscious consideration by the development company based on Lend Lease’s belief that the modern development can actually have it all.
“Convesso is designed to meet the functional and aesthetic expectations of residents and visitors while minimising its impact on the environment,” he says.
Developments such as this reassure consumers and the industry at large that sustainability does not mean a digression of industry practices.
In fact, particularly when it comes to indoor environmental quality (IEQ), living standards and overall value, green is proving to be the next step in the evolution of standard practices, allowing the sector to rid itself of antiquated stereotypes and become a mainstream asset.
