Green building Innovation and Sustainable Designs in Hotel
Green building is the practice of creating
structures using processes that are environmentally responsible and
resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from sitting to design,
construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction. Green
building is also known as a sustainable or high performance building.
Green buildings in the hotels are designed to reduce the overall impact of the
built environment on human health and the natural environment by:
- Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
- Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
- Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation
For example, green buildings may incorporate sustainable materials in their construction (e.g., reused, recycled-content, or made from renewable resources); create healthy indoor environments with minimal pollutants (e.g., reduced product emissions); and/or feature landscaping that reduces water usage (e.g., by using native plants that survive without extra watering).
However, In the current competitive hotel industry, are green buildings
really advantageous? And does the hotel industry really require green building designs? If yes, how
does it influence tourists’ choice of hotel accommodation? Does green building persuade customers to
recommend the hotel to their friends?
The simple answer is yes!! Today's consumers are more eco-conscious than ever. They demand that
brands adopt sustainable solutions, such as getting rid of single-use plastics like straws and
shopping bags and businesses that fail to adapt may find customers visiting their competitors.
Sustainability is an essential trend in the hospitality industry. Some 19% of travelers said they
would pay more for a vacation with a green electricity resort. Consumers are becoming more aware of
their carbon footprint, and are taking steps to reduce it - including opting for eco-friendly
travel.
Apart from the consumer behavior, green building initiatives while being good for the environment,
also come with a financial gain. Sustainable hotels have lower operating costs, and they command
higher building values while receiving tax breaks and incentives.
This is the reason why many hospitality brands are moving towards green and sustainable construction
as a ground-up solution.
Over the past decade or so, Indian hoteliers have started taking a serious
note of the need for ‘greening’ their hotels and operations. India has the third largest number of
LEED-certified hotels and the largest number of LEED Platinum hotel projects in the world. Even
hotels that have already achieved LEED at the design stage are now going for LEED Operations and
Maintenance (O+M) certification to further highlight their efficiencies and demonstrate their
continued commitment to sustainable performance.
As places of relaxation and respite, hotels should inherently focus on the health and well-being of
their occupants. Green buildings not only deliver on both these counts but also go further by also
improving the productivity and happiness of employees.
How do we perceive the adoption of green practices in India’s luxury hospitality segment?
Hotels and other hospitality venues have a
significant opportunity to reduce negative environmental impacts associated with guest rooms, event
space, and general facility use through measures such as energy and water efficiency, waste
reduction and management, sustainable and local purchasing, and use of alternative transportation.
Hotels consume natural resources at an extraordinarily high rate, as they are occupied 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. According to a Trip Advisor survey, nearly two-thirds of travelers reported
plans to make more environmentally friendly choices over the next year. And while on vacation, 88 %
of travelers turned off lights when not in their hotel room, 78 % participated in the hotel’s linen
and towel reuse programs and 58 % used recycling in the hotel. As guests demand more sustainable
travel solutions, hotels are positioned to deliver high quality experiences with the help of tools
like LEED, that positively impact human health and the environment.
Also, Incorporating LEED includes sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency,
materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Future trends in this space in relation to the hospitality industry?
The hospitality industry is noticing a change in consumer behavior. Consumers are requesting sustainable resources, evaluating the indoor environment for health concerns and placing a preference on sustainable buildings. As this trend continues, consistent metrics and standards to support the quality of product the hospitality industry delivers will become even more important for a variety of stakeholders, including owners, investors and operators. Integrating green building strategies into the design, construction and daily operations of hotels makes business sense and can be an important part of a company’s commitment to sustainability.