Green buildings are being constructed more and more in Thailand as developers and end users look to protect the environment and save some money in the process. Environmentally friendly buildings are designed to efficiently use resources, which in turn requires less energy to be used.
Green building credentialing groups, including the U.S. Green Business Council (USGBC) and the Thai Green Building Institute (TGBI), found that the number of certified green buildings plus those buildings seeking accreditation in Thailand continues to grow. In 2007, there were 6 such buildings but that has increased to 243 buildings last year.
It is estimated that number will increase to 294 green buildings this year with the average annual growth rate for green buildings in Thailand coming in at 54 per cent. Additionally, Thailand is expected to surpass 5 million square meters of green building space before the end of 2016.
Offices are the most popular type of green buildings in Thailand accounting for 40 per cent of the total. Retail stores and shops are in second place at 30 per cent while factories, residential buildings, hotels, and schools make up the remaining 30 per cent.
Developing green building does cost more than conventional buildings. It is the benefits they offer, which include significant cost savings, that have fuelled the expansion of green structures currently being seen. Green construction requires choosing special materials and designing specialised systems plus additional fees for obtaining green certifications.
Despite the extra initial costs, owners can expect monetary and non-monetary advantages from green buildings. A decrease in building management expenses such as electricity and water costs are among the cost benefits of building green. Non-monetary benefits include high demand from tenants as they wish to be associated with an environmentally friendly project. This is especially true for office space where companies use the green building for positive publicity.
