ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the contested nature of environmental innovation in the property business. It identifies the commercial framing of environmental choice in design practice and the mediation of environmental issues in development processes. Commercial property development is a difficult industry to conceptualise. It is made up of a set of contrasting commercial businesses that share a stake in the property market but embody profoundly different interests. While property development provides the bread and butter for developers and agents, it is only one of many possible options for investors. Architects are in the business of providing tailored design solutions to specific development challenges, for different types of client. Occupiers view space either as simply a background to their core operation, or more significantly as a reflection of their business practices. The interest of agents in environmental innovation is strongly shaped by the priorities of other real-estate actors.
