David Martin, CEO of Terra Group, Discusses Ongoing Sustainability for Even the Biggest Real Estate Projects
MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 24, 2021 / David Martin is the CEO of Terra Group Miami and an ardent supporter of implementing sustainability for each phase of real estate planning. With a portfolio consisting of everything from hotels to condos, he discusses the principles that can help project planners improve their environmentally friendly quotient.
The environment has become a front-and-center topic, particularly when it comes to land development. CEO of Terra Group, David Martin, discusses his own experience and how sustainability has helped his company build an $8 billion portfolio.
Maximizing sustainability begins with viewing every project as an opportunity to save energy. While media attention is often thrown on the biggest undertakings (e.g., the building of a big-box store), the reality is that even the smallest of retrofits and remodels need to embrace the principle to the fullest.
The practical application of the concept will depend on the objectives and location of the building. The term ‘sustainable' doesn't have a specific metric attached to it, so it's important not to be swept up in vague promises or sensational language. Choosing energy-efficient appliances is certainly a good start, but Martin of Terra Group says that it takes more than that.
One major thing that any project planner can do is impart a sense of importance on everyone involved with the projects. Investors, foremen, designers, construction crews: no one should be exempt. Reducing our carbon output has to start somewhere, and we can't progress if professionals are constantly at war with one another.
Education can play a big role here and Terra Group has made it a priority to inform their clients how their decisions influence the world at large. David Martin says that this has ended up being beneficial on both sides of the equation. Real estate projects can attract better buyers when they focus on sustainability.
Buyers today want properties that were made with higher causes in mind. These ideals protect the very planet we live on, so it's important to keep them in mind from the initial brainstorming phases to the final implementation.
Martin of Terra Group also cautions all project planners to continuously assess how their original goals are matching up with reality. Because real estate projects are (very much) subject to change, best-laid plans can be quickly cast aside for shortcuts that ultimately hurt our environment.
For planners who do want to maximize their impact, the good news is there are more options today than ever before. Because environmentalism is so popular, it's drawing some of the brightest minds to the table to work on the solutions.
We ‘re seeing ancient building practices (e.g., fashioning bricks from soil and clay) being combined with modern technology (e.g., water run-off systems). Beer makers are changing the shapes of their bottles so they can be stacked into walls. Cool roofs are reducing the smog layer, and wi-fi can control how much light is let into our windows. Geothermal heating can tap into the stability of the Earth's core, regardless of how hot or cold its surface is. Denim is being recycled into insulation and shed bark can be used to build new walls.
In addition, the cost for these devices are becoming significantly more affordable by the day. For instance, solar panels have drastically reduced in price over the years. (This is good news for states that have mandated the use of panels for new buildings.) David Martin of Terra Group says that these examples only scratch the surface of what's out there.
While it's not feasible (or recommended) to explore every new product available on the market, Martin says that it's important to at least become familiar with the trends of the day. Planners can also turn to what other sustainable developers in the area are doing to address the problem.
This tip can be instrumental in keeping at-risk communities from enduring additional damage. Some neighborhoods are more affected by pollution than others, creating bigger obstacles for planners who don't want to leave an indelible mark on denizens of the city or town.
The staff at Terra Group knows that construction has been one of the last industries to change. It's a profession largely maintained through a foundation of old-fashioned, unsustainable practices. David Martin has watched the slow transformation over the course of his career though and found a lot to be hopeful for.
He emphasizes how important it is to be aware of the daily decisions of real estate. At Terra Group, there are a lot of questions asked before committing to a property. If materials are being sourced from around the globe, how does it contribute to the world's emissions output? How does the exhaust of on-the-ground transportation disperse in the community? How much energy will the refrigerator or washer/dryer combo use over the course of its lifetime? Can the building readily adapt to new technology in the future?
Making these (sometimes difficult) calculations isn't always the most exciting part of being on the job, but they are pivotal to maximizing sustainability for every project. The other major takeaway is exploring the new world order of building. From virtual reality construction training to locally grown bamboo, startups and established companies alike are challenging the status quo. Being on the cutting-edge of what's new and now can make a world of difference to a project's environmental impact.
The Legacy of Terra Group
Terra Group is leading by example in many ways, particularly when it comes to the sustainability movement. Even without oversight from local, state, or federal governments, the company is helping construction move the needle toward a brighter future. David Martin says that his actions are about far more than boosting the value of an already valuable portfolio. This is about the company's larger legacy in the industry and the world
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SOURCE: Terra Group