Turner Green Building Survey Reveals That More Than 70% Of Executives Believe That Green Buildings Enhance Student Performance And Ability To Retain Teachers

Survey finds that total long-term costs lower than perceived, yet lack of awareness and misperception of higher construction costs still primary obstacles to building green

New York, N.Y., October 26, 2005 - Turner Construction Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Turner Corporation, the nation's leading general builder, today announced the findings of its survey of 665 building owners, developers, architects, engineers, corporate owner- occupants, consultants and educational institutions on Green building issues.  Similar to the survey conducted in 2004, the 2005 Market Barometer again took a snapshot of the views of senior executives on the benefits and costs of Green buildings. However, this year’s survey placed a special focus on Green educational facilities - both K-12 and higher educational facilities.

The self-administered survey was conducted over the Internet by Bayer Consulting from August 12-26, 2005.  For the purposes of the survey, Green buildings were defined as buildings which use design and construction practices to significantly reduce or eliminate negative effects on the environment and building occupants.

Greater Benefits for K-12 and Higher Education Students and Faculty

More K-12 school districts and higher educational institutions are recognizing that Green facilities provide a more effective learning environment. The interest in Green educational facilities is part of a broader recognition of the critical importance of the physical environment to the health and performance of students and teachers.  Large percentages of executives at organizations involved with Green K-12 facilities rated them more highly than traditional facilities on a range of benefits:

· Ability to attract and retain teachers (74%)
· Reduced student absenteeism (72%)
· Improved student performance (71%)

Improved student performance was cited as an important benefit of Green construction, especially for K-12 facilities. Among executives involved with Green K-12 facilities, 71% said that student performance was better than in typical K-12 facilities, including 24% saying that it was much better.  These ratings are consistent with a number of studies that have found improved student test scores and other outcomes in facilities that incorporate Green features. 

Additionally, the ability to attract a strong teacher base is looked at as a benefit directly related to Green building.  Seventy-four percent of executives involved with Green K-12 facilities said that they made it easier to attract and retain teachers.

Executives were asked which Green features of K-12 facilities were most important to providing benefits to students and teachers. Forty-nine percent of executives involved with K-12 facilities cited improved indoor air quality as the most important factor to their improved health and well-being, while 37% named increased natural lighting.

Executives reported that Green higher educational facilities performed much better than traditional facilities on a range of potential benefits.  Most of the executives at organizations involved with Green college and university facilities also reported that the facilities generated more benefits relevant to higher education:

· Ability to attract and retai