Innovation in Green Building Projects: An Exploratory Inquiry

Green building (GB) projects, although being developed and operated for more than two decades, may still be regarded as innovative. To address the socio-environmental challenges of the built environment, GBs need to continuously innovate. A comprehensive account of the innovation frontiers and factors affecting GB project innovation is missing in previous studies. In this study, for an in-depth understanding of what makes these projects innovative and how to create an enabling environment for their innovation, semi-structured interviews with 45 GB experts from six regions were conducted. Innovation in GBs was found to be a function of the GB idea, constituent building technologies, potential performance, and the project development process. Key frontiers where innovation in GB projects is needed include environmental performance, health and well-being, and the resolution of mutually contradicting project aspirations. The study also identified some factors contributing to innovation in GBs, which are primarily related to support from the government, client, and project team; availability of time and budget; scalability of innovative solutions; and nature of the construction industry. A nexus between green certifications, sustainability, and innovation is also explained. The awareness and understanding of industry experts regarding GB project innovation will add to the theory of GB projects and green innovation, and will help stakeholders to create a more enabling environment for innovation.