Combining Diverse Approaches Can Cut Costs to $23/Sq. Foot but Building-Integrated Vegetation (BIV) Will Still Depend on Incentives for Wider Adoption, Says Lux Research
BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - Aug 19, 2014) - Building-integrated vegetation (BIV) -- the use of green roofs and green walls to improve air quality, manage storm-water and generate energy savings -- is experiencing a burst of innovation to lower costs and hasten payback on investment, according to Lux Research.
In the drive to demonstrate economic value, the $6 billion industry has come up with a number of new ways to reduce material, installation and maintenance costs. All told, costs could be cut 28% -- from $38/ft2 in 2012 to $23/ft2 in 2017, according to a Lux Research analysis.
"There are many untapped opportunities to make BIV a better investment and reduce -- though not eliminate -- its dependence on subsidies and incentives," said Aditya Ranade, Lux Research Senior Analyst and lead author of the report titled, "Crossing the Chasm: Demonstrating Economic Value Is the Next Test for Building-integrated Vegetation."
"Little has been done to date with novel material properties approaches, and further reduction in external irrigation and weeding can halve the 40-year operation and maintenance cost," Ranade added. "Similarly, waterproofing, drainage and insulation costs can be cut 60%."
Lux Research analysts examined costs and benefits in the BIV industry, and the critical part played by policy measures. Among their findings:
The report, titled "Crossing the Chasm: Demonstrating Economic Value Is the Next Test for Building-integrated Vegetation," is part of the Lux Research Sustainable Building Materials Intelligence service.
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