A new report, ‘Sustainable by design’, by engineering consultancy Patrick Parsons, based on research* with 100 senior executives of UK construction firms, reveals that they are seeing significant commercial benefits from using sustainable design and engineering to build developments with lower carbon footprint and water use, reduce waste and materials used.
Two thirds (66%) said sustainable design is adding value to current developments and 83% said that projects designed with green credentials have given them a competitive advantage. Furthermore, 68% expect the value of developments with sustainable design to increase by between 10% and 20%, and 18% expect values to increase by between 20% and 50% over the next three years, demonstrating the significant premium placed on sustainable construction.
The research also highlighted that the most important aspect of sustainably designed developments is that they can be adapted to meet future environmental and social challenges.
| Respondents asked to pick the top two most important aspects of sustainable developments | |
| 1. Have been built with the flexibility to accommodate future changes, taking into consideration the lifetime of a building from draft to demolition, not just the initial construction
|
70% |
| 2. Improve the quality of life for the people living in/using the buildings, creating healthier environments that promote well-being, and prevent negative social issues arising
|
48% |
| 3. Maximise the use of sustainable resources to lower environmental impact and increase energy efficiency
|
44% |
| 4. Support natural environments and habitats by maintaining and improving the natural environment
|
24% |
| 5. Reducing dependence on resources such as water, power or heating, to protect from future scarcity of those resources. | 14% |
Commenting on the findings of the report, Conor Murphy, Senior Partner, Structural Engineering at Patrick Parsons said: “Reducing the impact of our built environment is no longer an option but an imperative, and sustainable design and engineering has a crucial role in protecting the environment and our communities. This is recognised in our report, which shows that sustainable design and engineering gives construction firms a competitive advantage when it comes to securing new projects and increases the value of developments.”
Patrick Parsons focusses on helping clients assess, design, and overcome the most complex of engineering challenges across a range of sectors. Operating from four sites — its HQ in Birmingham, London, Wakefield and Ashvale — the business provides a range of connected engineering services including Structural, Civil and Geo-Environmental consulting engineering services, competences the firm has developed over many years, and for which it has built a strong reputation.
To read the report in full, visit https://www.patrickparsons.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Sustainable-by-Design-Report-Web.pdf
