The District of Columbia Department of the Environment have released the findings of a recent study detailing how the District, already home to more green buildings per capita than other large cities, can best craft policy and create incentives to build zero energy, zero water and Living Buildings™.
The study, Net Zero and Living Building Financial Study: A Cost Comparison Report for the Buildings in the District of Columbia, was conducted by New Buildings Institute, International Living Future Institute and Skanska and conceptually transformed three LEED v3 Platinum designed buildings to net zero energy, net zero water and Living Buildings. Its scope focused on three commonly developed building types in the District: office new construction, multifamily new construction and office renovation.
“The findings in this report are eye-opening. It presents us with a policy framework that will help us achieve our goal to slash energy use to half of what it was in 2010 by 2032, and provides us with the data to back it up,” says Bill Updike, green building specialist for the District Department of the Environment. “The District has a history of leading on progressive green building policies. This report will aid our efforts to further advance the building industry toward more resilient, restorative facilities.”
