oa Managing the business of sustainable buildings

Cost and profit are considered the biggest barriers towards sustainable building business. The aim of this article is to shift this perspective by interpreting the building composition of the sustainable business and introducing the differences between the different accounting frameworks associated with both the conventional and sustainable building businesses. To achieve this target, this article compares between the “bottom line” analysis adopted in the conventional building business against the “triple bottom line” utilized in the sustainable building business. The “bottom line” is more associated with how much profit any business generates, whereas the “triple bottom line” accounts for people, planet, and profit. In this context, the sustainable business has a wider vision towards assets and is more accommodative to the future needs of a business. In light of this, it is evident that adequately managing the sustainable building business will positively enhance the overall cost that will lead not only to a definite increase in profit and building assets, with no impact or minor impact on the first cost, but also to a favorable decrease in the running costs. The focal point of this article is to establish that cost and profit are legendary barriers, and contrary to what is currently perceived, there will be a massive drive towards promoting sustainable building business.