The project must prove to be economically feasible and innovative as to the deployment of financial resources. Funding must promote an economy of means and be compatible with the demands and constraints encountered throughout the construction’s life span.
- Innovative models for financing.
- Financial resources over the project's life cycle and their regional impact.
- Flexibility with regard to future changes (user, ownership, laws and regulations).
- Robustness to economic conditions (interest rates, taxes, inflation).
- Economy of resources deployed in construction.
Through efficiency of design, construction, maintenance, operation, reuse, and recycling, sustainable construction seeks feasible projects that provide long-term economic benefits for owners, users, and communities. Such benefits can take many forms besides profits or lower costs, for example: strengthening the economic base of a region, boosting the local economy, giving residents more control over their housing costs, or even giving people a financial base.
Innovative deployment of financial resources, durability, adaptability, lifecycle cost planning, ‘free’ low-tech natural resources, and other attributes can work together to make sustainable construction not only financially feasible but the preferred choice and a sound long-term investment in the future.
Measuring up to the criteria of sustainable construction: Office building in Costa Rica
The construction cost of the Holcim Costa Rica office building came in at just under USD 2.6 million (a relatively modest cost of USD 658/m2). This was slightly over the original budget, but in line with the changes that arose during the project. This figure does not include the site work and landscaping, access roads and parking area, or the cost of furnishings.