Design Trend Report: Commercial Construction and Renovation Projects Go Green

Green building: What was once a chic niche market in commercial construction and renovation is now being called by a recent McGraw-Hill Construction Study as, “The largest opportunity areas for green building globally…”

Going green is now the new black, in many cases, in commercial new construction and renovation projects. According to the same study, “Sixty-three percent of firms have green work planned in new commercial projects and 45 percent in new institutional projects by 2015,” reports McGraw-Hill.

From doing the “right thing” to saving money on energy to improving overall health and well-being of the environment and visitors, the study cites many reasons for going green.

Urban Land Institute recently posted a run down of 10 buildings completed in the past 5 years, that “incorporated sustainable elements to an unusual degree.” To see some really amazing buildings from around the world, click here.

All around, new and innovative products are being introduced to the market with a green-approach in its design and functionality. Recently, BuilderOnline.com revealed their “10 Hot Product Finds” the annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo for 2012. See the slideshow of products by clicking here.

With this, here are a few of our favorite green finds for commercial interior design or residential interior design:

Icestone: The company calls itself “the world’s most safest and sustainable recycled glass and cement countertops.” Really cool concrete with recycled glass pieces.

Oceanside Glasstile: Cool tile made from recycled glass and LEED certification compliant.

InterFace Carpet: Oil-free carpet manufacturer. “By using less energy and material, making products that last and recycling old carpet into new, we already have the most off oil carpet.”

Capricork: Rubber cork and recycled rubber floors.

Designtex: Recycled wallcovering in “Ondina”