By The Materially Better Team
In Materially Better’s pursuit of supporting the proliferation of healthier, environmentally friendly spaces, the selection of healthy building materials stands as a cornerstone in both new construction and renovation. Collaborating with our consultants allows you to play a pivotal role in this transformative journey because as an owner you have the unique ability to set goals and direct stakeholders in the selection and installation of thoroughly vetted, healthier materials that reduce embodied carbon and protect and enhance human health and well-being.
What’s in It for Me?
While the “what’s in it for me” question can be perceived as crass in the sustainability movement, we understand that as a commercial building owner this is a valid inquiry. Financial investment and returns are the reality of business, so let’s explore the benefits of using healthier building materials in your projects.
Increased Property Value:
Buildings incorporating healthier materials with effectively implemented sustainability practices are known to attract the attention of architecture and design publications that can bring media coverage elevating the prestige of the project and the stakeholders. This not only offers financial advantages to owners, but also boosts the property’s attractiveness to potential buyers or tenants. Moreover, investing in healthier building materials can open up new business opportunities. With the growing demand for eco-friendly construction, property owners can better access emerging markets and gain a competitive edge.
Enhanced Tenant Attraction and Retention:
Research shows tenants are placing greater importance on healthy building features, resulting in a growing demand for spaces that utilize healthier materials. This trend could lead to increased rental prices and improved tenant retention.
Positive Brand Image:
Using healthier building materials reflects your commitment to corporate social responsibility, amplifying a company’s reputation and appealing to environmentally aware customers, employees, and tenants.
Employee Well-being and Productivity:
A healthier work environment with good air quality and natural light can positively impact employee health, reducing health related absences, and increasing productivity.
Potential Government Incentives:
Many jurisdictions provide various incentives including tax credits for adopting green building practices, which can offset upfront materials costs.
Reduced Environmental Impact:
Choosing healthier, sustainable materials minimizes a building’s carbon footprint by reducing resource extraction and waste generation throughout the construction lifecycle. Additionally, efforts to keep hazardous substances out of your building portfolio today can save you remediation costs in the future.
The Materially Better Advantage™
As materials specialists with over a decade of experience, we leverage our unique combination of consulting, technology, and data capabilities to ensure that you are able to meet all your critical materials goals. We take an holistic approach to understanding your needs, and construct solutions that ensure your specific built environment goals are achieved.
As is appropriate to your project, our process can include:
- goals and strategy assessment
- design support
- construction support
- certification/audit support
- overall portfolio assessment
- continuous improvement planning efforts
Combining software with a large, curated and AI-augmented dataset and our industry knowledge, we are able to read your specifications and submittals documents to find and eliminate products containing carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and bioaccumulative toxins. Comparing your efforts to our data shows you where the most impactful materials improvements can be made.
Conclusion
By employing Materially Better’s consulting expertise that focuses on strong product data and prioritizes healthier building materials, owners can lead the charge to create environments that are not only safer and more comfortable for occupants, but also beneficial to the environment and economically advantageous. That’s the Materially Better Advantage™.
