Value Beyond Cost Savings - Green Building Finance Consortium

Appendix GSustainable Property Cost-Benefit ChecklistPotential Property Costs Description of Cost Applicability Analysis 120field. However, it is important that the owner understandthat their job is to communicate the importance of theeconomics, and the values that they are seeking in aproject, and it is to their benefit to have contracts thatclearly lay out the relative risks and responsibilitiesbetween architects and designers and owners.The architectural community has stepped up theirresponsibilities to sustainable design in recent years:“Looking at AIA B101-2007, the standard form ofcontract between architect and owner, sustainableduties are immediately apparent. That documentprovides, in pertinent part:3.2.5.2 The architect shall considerenvironmentally responsible design alternativessuch as material choices and building orientation,together with other considerations based onprogram and aesthetics that are consistent withthe Owner’s program, schedule and budget forCost of the Work. (Emphasis added)Thus under the AIA contract, for the very first time, thearchitect is actually required to consider and evaluategreen or sustainable design alternatives as part of thebase services.The AIA Canons of Ethics create and impose similarduties, taken one step further. Under the modernCanons, the architect now actually has duties runningto the environment. In that regard, Canon IV –Obligations to the Environment, specifically provides.:Members should promote sustainable design…E.S.6.1 Sustainable Design: In performing designwork, members should be environmentallyresponsible and advocate the design, construction278