FACILITIES OF GREEN RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ELEMENTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON LIFE CYCLE COSTS IN HOUSING PROJECT DESIGN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i43.2115Keywords:
Residential Building Facilities, Green Building, Green Features, Life Cycle Cost, Life Cycle Cost AnalysisAbstract
Green buildings are designed to promote environmental stewardship and resource conservation throughout their life cycle, from construction to demolition. In response to global warming and growing urban populations, the adoption of green features in residential buildings has become an essential practice to conserve the natural environment, reduce resource consumption, and protect human health. This study investigates the utilisation of green features in certified green residential buildings and examines their impact on life cycle costs. A qualitative research design was adopted, involving multiple case studies of five GBI-awarded green residential projects. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with developers and document analysis of project records to capture real descriptive perspectives and prevailing cost trends in the industry. The analysis reveals that, from a cost-effectiveness perspective, building orientation, window design, and rainwater harvesting systems are the most commonly applied green features across all projects, contributing to improved energy and water efficiency. The findings also indicate that the highest cost implications occur during the design and construction phase of the life cycle, while reduced operational costs over time help offset the higher initial investment. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing empirical insights into how specific green residential building features influence life cycle cost components in the Malaysian context, thereby informing developers and policymakers on cost-effective strategies for sustainable housing. Future research should further explore the constraints in implementing green building features and assess the level of awareness of life cycle costing among construction stakeholders to support more effective sustainable construction practices.
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