Environmental Systems Design's San Francisco studio lead James Gronek sees an increasing focus on the health and well-being of building occupants as a major trend in the construction industry, echoing Cadence McShane's Pat McConnell.

He cites the Delos WELL Building Standard as one way the industry is seeking to better understand the relationship between people's health and the built environment and put those findings into practice.

Costs can be an impediment to getting companies on board for making buildings greener and healthier. Fortunately, the cost-benefit case is relatively straightforward, James says.

"Systems or technologies should provide a payback to the owner within some reasonable time frame, whether through increased worker productivity, reduced utility bills or higher rents," he says.

One obstacle is how to account for user expectations, such as whether office spaces need to be air-conditioned between 70 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit, he says. "Or can we convince people that a wider temperature range is acceptable, which opens up the possibility of using alternative HVAC solutions?"

Getting past "mental hurdles" like this is key, James says, to more widespread adoption of green technology.