Green Building in Germany

Models for the environmental certification of buildings have long been in existence abroad. In contrast to these, the German Society for Sustainable Building (Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für nachhaltiges Bauen / DGNB) wanted to extend evaluation beyond merely the criterion of environmental compatibility. It has now presented a programme for the comprehensive assessment of buildings that takes into account not only environmental compatibility but also the economic and socio-cultural qualities of buildings – and rewards those that meet the standards with a gold, silver or bronze seal of approval.

Approximately one third of the use of resources in Germany goes for buildings. In spite of stagnating population growth, the use of land for housing developments continues undaunted. The progressive urban sprawl has resulted in considerable environmental problems. Flood disasters, overloaded sewerage systems and a sinking ground-water table are only the most conspicuous effects of soil sealing by streets, pavements and parking lots. The amount of CO2 emissions and waste generated by the construction and operation of buildings is enormous. In view of the ambitious goals set for climate protection and conservation of resources, it is therefore inevitable that there will be an increasing regulation of the construction sector – and one on a world-wide scale.

Environmental compatibility as selling point

A glance over the borders shows that environmental compatibility has become a marketing factor in the evaluation of buildings not only in Germany. Of all countries, it was the U.S.A., much decried as an environmental sinner, that first introduced a pioneering programme for the environmental certification of buildings with LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). Other countries followed this example, including Great Britain, France and Japan. Yet the programmes that have been established in the meantime are all based on a point system concentrated exclusively on the aspects of environment and energy. This focus is inadequate for the universal sustainability strategy to which Germany has committed itself for coping with the complex questions of environment, climate and resource consumption.
Sustainable building goes far beyond eco-friendly, resource-saving and economically efficient construction. Buildings should be not only comfortable and healthy, but also fit in optimally to their socio-cultural surroundings.

Presentation at the Consense

In 2001 the German government promised itself nothing less than a “major step forward” when it invited experts from the construction and housing industry to a “round table discussion” about paths to future-oriented building. This led, in May 2007 in Stuttgart, to the founding of the German Society for Sustainable Building. Its key tasks: the exchange of knowledge and experience, providing advanced training and raising the awareness of the public for the requirements of a sustainable construction industry. One of the first fruits of the Society’s work is the certification of sustainable buildings.
The programme was presented at the first Consense, an international congress for sustainable building, which took place on June 17-18, 2008 in Stuttgart. Conceived of by the DGNB as its future leading trade fair, the Consense was attended by dozens of top consultants and speakers from Germany and abroad. It was accompanied by an ambitious supporting programme and special exhibition which presented innovative products and services from the areas of sustainable building services engineering, research and development, construction materials and building products.
In the limelight of public interest was the new “German Seal of Approval for Sustainable Building”. The classification of construction quality into gold, silver and bronze was based on a grading under the categories of ecology (primary use and use of drinking water, emission of pollutants and other dangerous materials), economy (cleaning, ease of maintenance and repair of the applied materials, and building construction), processes (conception, planning and execution), and site (positive environmental factors such as situation or accessibility to public transportation, etc.). Included in the evaluation of sustainability are also socio-cultural and functional aspects (surroundings, recreational and leisure value, ease and comfort).

On the market by 2009

The seal of approval is awarded by the DGNB and the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing. Architects and planners can qualify as certifiers by absolving an advanced training course. The course is designed to enable them to advise builders in questions of sustainability from the planning stage to completion. Such consultation is a prerequisite for receiving a pre-certificate, which builders can use early on for marketing buildings. Following a test phase, the certificate system will be introduced into the market at the beginning of 2009.
DGNB President and star architect Werner Sobek: “The informative seal of approval provides security for investors, businesses and users alike. Moreover, it will reinforce the high competence of the German construction and housing industry in the world-wide growth market of so-called ‘green building’”.