ABSTRACT
Rapidly increasing fuel costs and global warning are forcing architects to think more holistically about the natural and the built environments. Yet, while many architects are keen to investigate opportunities to incorporate sustainable design features in their buildings, they often feel frustrated when clients curb their enthusiasm because of the lack of proof with regard to the tangible benefits of this approach. At the root of this dampening factor is the inbuilt conservatism of the financial institutions on whom a large proportion of building and infrastructure development depends for their start-up funding.
