The Earth Advantage Institute has released the Top 10 Building Trends for 2010 and I'm sharing a few interesting ones here:

• Energy Dashboards in Homes: These dashboards would show real-time energy usage in homes. Interesting concept but I see the worth of this one. Wouldn't you want to know how to conserve energy if you know how energy was being utilized? It's similar to adjusting your eating habits to lose weight or your driving habits to conserve gas so I see this as a great tool for office and home use.
   
• Energy Labels: Again, interesting that something like this hasn't been implemented yet or has widespread usage yet. Energy ratings on homes and commercial properties will help buyers decide which properties to buy based on how well they allow energy conservation  So similar to a miles per gallon on your car or calories per serving label on your food, these energy labels can tell a prospective buyer determine which property to buy based on a comparison of energy labels from similar properties. It will also motivate owners to improve their properties to compete with other properties that do better at energy conservation. Really like this trend and can't wait to see how this will play out.
   
• Reduced Rates for Green Building: This makes sense I suppose but I'm not so sure that it is fair to assume that just because someone bought a green property, they'd be more responsible towards managing the property better. Technically a homeowner could get a great deal on a green property but not keep up with the maintenance of it and could just as easily default on the house payments as any other owner.  Will wait to see how the financial community reacts to this thought process.
   
• Rightsizing Homes: Ah, yes. This one is for sure going to be an evolution. Smaller homes, smaller add-ons; gone are the days of huge mansions and large properties. Conservation will remain top priority until such a time that the US economy returns to its glory days.
   
• Eco-districts: Love this one. Creating greener communities to enable residents to access all supplies and services within walking or biking distance. No motor fuel usage, no pollution, better air quality, reduction of sedentary lifestyle, etc. etc. So many benefits if we can actually see this happening in suburban towns.
   
• Water Conservation: Yes, this is going to be huge. The EPA finalized a new specification for new homes in December 2009, which allows water usage reduction by about 20 percent. Implementation of mandatory water efficiency in buildings may be coming from Europe to US soon. Water as a depleting resource is a huge environmental concern.
   
• Sustainable Building Education: I'm skipped 8 and 9 to talk about my favorite predicted trend, educating people on how to build green. A whole slew of professionals will need to continue getting Green Certifications including builders, contractors, electricians, and designers, not to mention real estate agents, insurance agents and other professionals who work in the construction field. With education, we are sure to get better and better at green (er) construction processes, materials, and technology.

I can't wait to see some of these trends becoming a way of life in the construction field. Think I'll go do some more reading on this and report back to you my learnings….