Green Building and Sustainable Design

Green building and sustainable design refer to real estate development, renovation, architectural design, and construction methods that incorporate efficient energy usage, waste management, and ecologically sound building materials. No two green building projects are created equal. In fact, one of the features of sustainable design is working with the local ecosystem in providing for building materials, energy supplies, and waste management techniques. Although not an explicit part of the definition of green building, ethical labor and business practices are implicit in the concept.

Members of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) are dedicated to green building and sustainable design practices. A few of the member firms are publicly traded and performing well, such as NCI Building Systems. The NCI Group focuses on delivering metals (metal coil coating, metal components and custom metal building systems) to the construction industry in accordance with green building practices (NCI). Their products are geared toward institutional construction and illustrate the role of green building in the institutional sector.

Although neither Hines nor the Durst Organization are publicly traded, they are profitable firms dedicated to green building and sustainable design. The Durst Organization "wants to turn the Big Apple into a Green Apple," ("The Durst Organization Company Profile"). An urban real estate development and management company, the Durst organization is turning a profit. The company "develops, owns, and manages commercial real estate in midtown Manhattan," ("The Durst Organization Company Profile").

Hines is a real estate development, investment, and management firm that is also profiting by becoming green. The firm boasts significantly higher compound annual returns vs. its competitors, and helps raise equity to assist organizations with their green building and sustainable design goals ("Investment Performance"). NCI Building Systems, the Durst Organization, and Hines exemplify the profitability and performance of the green building industry in multiple sectors.