Establishing a multi-pillar decision-making framework for supporting the selection of green features and technologies in office projects within Australia

With recent global attention on the state of environment and climate change, sustainability solutions and outcomes are being integrated in the building and construction industry worldwide. However, the additional cost associated with sustainability requirements is a substantial hurdle to mainstream sustainability practices and outcomes. Project stakeholders and decision-makers contemplate implementing sustainability solutions in office projects. The inconsistency on determining the additional cost in achieving sustainability outcomes from historical studies causes more impediments for decision-makers and project stakeholders in the building and construction industry. To overcome this hurdle through efficient selection of green features and technologies, this research establishes a multi-pillar decision-making framework to achieve transparency in sustainability assessment leading to the development of sustainability outcomes in such projects.<br> <br>The research commences with a literature review of sustainability, Green Star rating tools, green office buildings in Australia, the inconsistent range of additional cost and different approaches associated with additional cost identified from historical studies. The research continues with the development of a multi-pillar decision-making (MPDM) framework as the primary research outcome, using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Triple Bottom Line (TBL) sustainability approach. AHP is employed for the primary reason of pair wise-comparison, which is the process of comparing pillars and sub-pillars of sustainability indicators in pairs encompassing the consideration of project sustainability priorities for evaluation by decision-makers and project stakeholders in office projects. Data input and framework establishment involved literature review, secondary data analysis, online survey and interview. The literature review assisted the identification of green features and technologies as well as the determination of sustainability pillars and sub-pillars used in AHP. The secondary data analysis provided the examination of green features and technologies available within Green Star-rated office projects in Australia. An online survey was undertaken for collecting participants¿ sustainability assessment towards these features and technologies. This survey also supported the initial establishment of the MPDM framework.<br><br>Following this, the MPDM framework was validated by interviews for seeking feedback and undertaking refined modifications. The MPDM framework is the most important research outcome, essential for reducing the additional cost burden in the development of sustainability outcomes within office projects. Besides that, the ranking of green features and technologies is able to be used as a reference list for stakeholders to implement or add other green features and technologies to meet sustainability requirements in their projects. Also, the list of pillars and sub-pillars may be used to support sustainability assessment in such projects. Therefore, the MPDM framework established in this research forms the foundation for further research to support transparency in decision-making with respect to sustainability and office projects. It also can be used to develop other research related to this discipline in other types of buildings and other countries, beyond office building projects and Australia.