Coatings World - March 2017

evidenced by owners’ ability to increase leasing rates ( 73 percent) and realize higher asset values ( 62 percent).

“The increased attention to build-
ing health impacts is just beginning,”
says Stephen A. Jones, senior direc-
tor of Industry Insights, Dodge Data &
Analytics. “In a similar way several years
ago, companies engaged in green con-
struction because of the demonstrable
business and financial benefits they were
able to achieve. The findings of this report
demonstrate that the focus on buildings
that enhance the health and well-being
of their occupants is likely to follow a
similar trajectory, boosted by those who
have committed to sustainability in their
organizations.”
The report surveyed U.S. owners,
architects, interior designers and con-
tractors, and found that 67 percent of
U.S. building owners are interested in
creating healthier buildings for people.
Additionally, 64 percent of all respon-
dents believe enhanced air quality will
be the leading healthy feature deployed
in buildings during the next five years.
Interior designers and architects are cur-
rently leading the industry toward health-
ier building strategies. As the building
industry continues to gather data on the
business and financial benefits of healthi-
er buildings, this focus and engagement is
likely to increase.

The top five healthy building features in use are better lighting/daylighting exposure, products that enhance thermal comfort, spaces that enhance social interaction, enhanced air quality and products that enhance acoustical comfort. Use of these features is expected to grow considerably, along with further pioneering approaches such as the use of biophilic design and the creation of spaces that enhance tenant mood and provide opportunities for physical activity. Although the U.S. is a leader in the development of healthy buildings, the move to buildings with enhanced air quality is likely to expand globally, with the World Bank reporting that premature deaths due to air pollution cost the global economy $5 trillion annually.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design, is the world’s
most widely used green building rat-
ing program. Since LEED launched in
2000, it has grown to certify more than
5 billion square feet of space in more
than 160 countries. Approximately
1.85 million square feet of space are
certified every day.

AkzoNobel, Cruyff
Foundation Give Sporting
Chance to Disabled
Children in Brazil

Children with a visual impairment can now enjoy playing sports at a Special Cruyff Court in Brazil opened by Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, Edith Schippers. The new facility has been painted with products supplied by AkzoNobel.

Funded by the Cruyff Foundation, the new court is located in Rio de Janerio on the premises of Urece, an organization that gives blind and visually impaired people the opportunity to take part in sporting activities.

“I am very proud to be here and open this Special Cruyff Court as a demonstration of our common sports culture,” said Minister Schippers, who was officially opening the 38th Cruyff Court outside the Netherlands.

Added Anderson Dias, chairman of
Urece: “This playground fits in with our
strategy to develop sports for blind and
disabled children. We are very grateful
to The Johan Cruyff Foundation for se-
lecting Urece to realize the first Special
Cruyff Court in Brazil.”
Founded by famous Dutch footballer
Johan Cruyff, the Cruyff Foundation gives
thousands of children all over the world
access to safe sporting facilities. More than
200 have been established to date, includ-
ing one in São Paulo. Special Cruyff Courts
are adapted to meet the needs of children
with disabilities and include equipment
that improves sensory perception through
sound/feeling/movement.

AkzoNobel is a preferred supplier to the Cruyff Foundation and has supplied paint for projects in various countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Argentina and India.