Eco-Refit : Empire State Building

New York's most iconic building has announced a $20 million eco-refit in addition to its $500 million renovation efforts to attract new tenants. It is projected that the energy refit will save $4.4 million a year with a 38% energy savings.

According to the U.S Department of State, buildings account for an estimated 36 percent of overall energy use, 65 percent of electricity consumption, 30 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions and 12 percent of water use in America, exemplifying a major area of interest for ecologists.

The Green Business Council is forecasting that the market for green architecture and buildings will reach $60 billion in the US by 2010, up from $7 billion in 2005. But this latest trend in investment in existing buildings provides a new challenge in the architecture society, and a welcome economic opportunity.