To Be or Not to Be…A “Green Home” Builder in Mexico?

To Be or Not to Be…A “Green Home” Builder in Mexico?
 

Many builders are reluctant to consider constructing "green" in Mexico because they believe the marketplace is not interested. However, a report by the International Community Foundation (www.icfdn.org) in their survey report points out, among other things, that, and I quote, “In searching for a home in Mexico, 56.4% of respondents indicated that they did not feel that they had any “green” or environmentally friendly options”.

There is, nontheless, a small and growing group of architects and builders that recognize the need for not continuing doing "business as usual" and looking to change the belief of a conservative industry and move into a "sustainable and green home construction" alternative options.  These architects, builders and developers are beginning to capitalize on the growing trend of sustainable design that makes their projects more marketable, saves money and wastes fewer resources, even as it makes the building occupants comfortable and productive.

Sustainable buildings are not a new style of construction - they represent a change in how we think about, design, construct and operate buildings. Sustainable and green buildings use "off the shelf materials and equipment" and, in fact, as architectural and environmental issues become more interwoven, can be very compelling to the architect, builder and owner.

Why Green?

Why not? Sustainable buildings cost less to heat, cool and light. That means lower operating costs for the owner. Sustainable buildings have shown improved comfort and performance for the occupants. That translates into higher sales prices and rents for the builder and developer.

Sustainable buildings produce less pollution because they use less energy. They make wisely use natural resources in their construction by lowering the consumption of building materials. Most importantly, they are healthier spaces to live and work.

Take, for instance, the Commercial Steel Frame Conde Nast Building Structure at Four Times Square in New York City.

Green Buildings Five Basic Principles:

Sustainable building practices consider environmental factors, human health and well-being, in addition to the traditional criteria of function, cost and aesthetics. According to the Primer on Sustainable Building by the Rocky Mountain Institute; there are five "must do" principles an architect, developer and builder should consider before starting a sustainable project.

1.     Green is a building philosophy not a building style. It's not the green features that dominate the architecture. Energy efficiency and sustainable measures are basically invisible and can be blended into any design.
2.     Thorough planning. There is no substitute for taking enough time to "think through" all the sustainable features you want included in the structure. Sustainable buildings are front-loaded - extra work must be done in the planning stage to incorporate green features into the design.
3.     Sustainable buildings aren't necessarily more expensive or complicated. You could spend more, and it certainly would be justified with all the quick paybacks from reduced operating costs; however it's not necessary.
4.     An integrated approach is critical. You cannot design a conventional building and then decide to add efficient technologies, natural daylighting, and green materials as an afterthought. You cannot design a green building without considering the site, the placement of the building or its impacts on the surrounding environment.
5.     Minimizing energy consumption is the central goal and organizing principle. Design elements fall into three categories: energy-saving architectural features, an energy-conserving building shell and energy-efficient mechanical devices such as water heaters and lights.

Remember, going green isn't a yes or no, all-or-nothing proposition. Once you make the decision to move down the sustainable path, do what you can handle. A building that has thoughtfully incorporated a few well-designed sustainable features is far better than one that doesn't. So, as the Rocky Mountain Institute suggests, " Go as green as your time, skills, client and project allow. If your decisions save some energy, or even water, you're definitely doing the right thing."

For a “Green”, Eco-Friendly, Energy Efficient Home Construction in Mexico, contact us.  We are an authorized representative for Sunway Homes (www.sunwayhomes.info) the first Mexican/international Company building “Green” homes, and other commercial and industrial construction, in Mexico.

And if you are a builder/developer in Mexico who thinks that USA, Canadian and International retirees are not interested in “green” home construction in Mexico, the International Community Center’s Report also says, “…The overwhelming majority of respondents (78.7%) have actively considered their environmental impact on their adopted community in Mexico. They drive less (63.3%), consume less electricity (53.1%) and use less water (41.4%).”

So, the response to the opening question of To Be or Not to Be…A “Green Home” Builder?. Should be, YES!  If you want to stay in trend with modern construction, you must go “GREEN”.

Sunway Homes offers a Golden Series program directed at muitl-unit builders and developers, to provide them with high quality home construction products under short term guidelines and at a low cost. Contact us for further info.:

Mexico Home Realty Center
Building the Future of Mexico
Construyendo el Futuro de Mexico
Bâtiment L'avenir du Mexique
Enrique (Henry) Saldana
Off: (984) 147-1305
Cel: (984) 111-8743
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moneylendingbus@hotmail.com
http://mexicohomerealtycenter.point2agent.com