Latest Posts

Felix Jansen, Expo Real 2023

We have to do this, we have to do that

I’m getting tired of hearing it. Anyone who, like me, is strongly committed to more sustainability on the one hand and moderates discussion groups quite frequently on the other, encounters it again and again: this annoying “we have to”. My theory: It’s of no use to anyone. Except perhaps those who say it.

But let’s take it one step at a time. Last week, I had the privilege of moderating two rounds at the Expo Real real estate and investor fair. In principle, they went well and were entertaining – at least that was the feedback I received afterwards. And to a large extent I would agree with that. If it weren’t for the unkindness that tends to run rampant at such panels.

We have to do more, they say. We have to act faster. We have to do whatever. To make sure that the urgency of the “we must” really gets through, the voice rises, it becomes louder and more insistent. Because we have to. And everyone should finally understand.

Who is “we” in the “we must” appeal?

But does any of it get through? I don’t think so. Instead, a phrase has burned itself in there that somehow sounds important, but accomplishes nothing except a good feeling for those who said it. In my opinion, this is especially true when another phenomenon is added: when the questions asked are not answered at all. After a half-sentence on the question, then comes a “What else I wanted to say” and off it goes, the appeal for whatever. The internal pressure to get rid of the pent-up “we have to” seems too great.

“So what, what is he trying to tell us here?” you may ask. My firm conviction is that this “we must” achieves nothing. Because who exactly is meant by “we”? An undefined group of people. But does it mean me, the listener? And if so, am I of all people the person who has to? Someone in this “we” construct will care, won’t they? A group in which you can hide perfectly well. You can’t solve it on your own anyway. And the fact that the appeal is usually aimed at something unspecific at the meta level makes things even more difficult.

Sustainability needs real action

DGNB publication title "Guide to climate-positive building stock"

If you want to do something right now, you will find numerous starting points, such as in the DGNB publication “Guide to climate-positive building stock” at www.dgnb.de/publications

The issues of sustainability and climate protection need real action. Or more precisely, people who actually take action, who rethink their actions and make them better. In their own personal degree of effectiveness. Here and now and not sometime in the distant future. It’s not about making everything perfect right away. But it is always about making things a little bit better.

And without a doubt, each of us needs those moments when something clicks. When we question ourselves and start doing things better. Perhaps also because others inspire and convince us. But that certainly doesn’t happen with a loud “We have to”. Rather with fingers (or better yet, whole hands) that are placed in wounds. With mirrors that are held up unsparingly. That make the listeners leave their comfort zone for a moment. Situations that lead to a critical questioning of oneself and one’s own actions.

For me, a presentation or a lecture is successful if even one person from the audience comes to me afterwards and seeks an exchange. Because I have hit a sore spot. Because it clicked. I have never succeeded with “We have to”.

If some of you who are reading this ask for it at the next event and are not satisfied with empty “We must” exhortations echoing around the room, something would already have been achieved. Ask: Who is this “we” exactly? Who is really acting? And what specifically happens next so that what “we must” becomes reality. For less blah-blah on the podiums.

Group photo of the DGNB Community in China with DGNB CEO Johannes Kreißig

Reunion of the DGNB Community in China at CADE EXPO 2023 (BAU China)

At this year’s BAU China, the DGNB returned to the stage of the China Architectural Design Exhibition (CADE) EXPO 2023 in Shanghai. At the DGNB China Community Meeting on 4 August, the network met again for the first time since the start of the pandemic. In addition to many news about the development of the DGNB in Germany, there was a panel discussion on the added value of certified buildings and districts, best practices from China and an outlook on wishes and plans for the German-Chinese collaboration.

Read More

CPEA ESG

CPEA publishes new report on ESG implementation in construction and real estate

One of the most used buzzwords in sustainable construction and real estate these days seems to be the acronym ESG. ESG covers three areas of sustainability: environmental, social and governance. However, a new report from the Climate Positive Europe Alliance (CPEA), of which the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) is part of, shows that most of the industry’s commitment to ESG is focused on the E in ESG, with the S and G getting short shrift.

Read More

research projects and initiatives

DGNB involvement in research projects and initiatives

The DGNB is keen to actively contribute to transformation in the building and property sector. This role we identify with also entails involvement in a whole host of research projects, public campaigns and initiatives, all aimed at finding groundbreaking and sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by our industry. We would like to present some of the projects in more detail here.

Read More

First DGNB Diamond awarded for renovation excellence: the Morrow building in Frankfurt

Renovating an office building that’s been standing empty for years is not the kind of decision you make lightly, especially if you’re a property developer. But this is precisely what happened in the Westend district of Frankfurt, and now the project is a shining example to others. The people who made this a reality are now the proud owners of a DGNB Certificate in Platinum – confirmation that the renovation achieved the very highest standards of sustainability. This was followed by a DGNB Diamond, testifying to the high architectural standards of the development.

Read More

Dr. Christine Lemaitre

Sustainable buildings are about more than ESG

Ever since the European Union declared sustainability a competitive advantage, the property industry has been in turmoil. Everyone is talking about ESG – or environmental, social and governance. Of course a property being sustainable – because it demonstrably takes environmental, social and governance factors into account during construction, renovations or operation – is nothing new. But it does make you wonder why everything suddenly feels so different and exciting … because a three-letter acronym is doing the rounds. The DGNB has been pointing the way forward in sustainable building for more than 15 years.

Read More

Header co2 sinks

How buildings become carbon sinks

Without carbon sinks, we will not achieve the climate goals. This was the clear message made in the World Climate Report written by international scientists. By using the right construction methods, buildings have the ability to store carbon in the long term and thus offer major potential. Experts discussed how this can be achieved at the DGNB Annual Congress.

Read More

A broshure on climate protection

The ‘climate protection reset’ and options with ongoing projects

There’s not much time left to meet the climate targets, and the building sector in particular needs to pick up a lot of momentum. Reason enough for Dr Christine Lemaitre (DGNB) to join Dr Anna Braune (DGNB), Jürgen Reimann (EDGE Technologies) and Jan Zak (ikl) at the DGNB Annual Congress 2023 and once again call for a climate protection reset. Indeed, there are effective ways to do something now, even with projects already underway or existing buildings – assuming the will is there.

Read More

Life in the city, health and mental well-being – how are we affected by building methods and urban design?

Our environment has a significant influence on physical and mental well-being – often without us realising it, or recognising the causes. The building and property industry thus bears an important responsibility when it comes to planning and designing urban spaces – indoors and outdoors. At the DGNB Annual Congress, Professor Eckart von Hirschhausen (founder of the Healthy Planet – Healthy People Foundation, or GEGM), Professor Mazda Adli (Fliedner Hospital, Berlin) and Rudi Scheuermann (Arup) explained how our well-being is impaired by external influences of city life. They also considered ways to make city life more enjoyable.

Read More

Living with climate change – are we living the right way in our cities?

Our towns and cities will need to adapt in order to deal with challenges of climate change. But to allow our cities to adapt to the changing environment, we also need to change our lives and behaviour. The concrete measures this involves and the ideas they’re based on were presented by Prof. Matthias Rudolph, Paul Eldag, Gerhard Hauber and Rolf Messerschmidt at this year’s DGNB annual digital congress.

Read More

Protecting biodiversity – from the well intentioned to the well done

While terms like sustainability and climate protection are now topics of intense discussion in the building sector and frequently receive attention at major meetings in industry, the topic of biodiversity is yet to become part of everyday life among companies. At the DGNB Annual Congress 2023, biodiversity expert Dr Frauke Fischer, Pascal Bunk (Knauf Gypsum) and Sven Schulz (Lake Constance Foundation) explained why this is becoming a problem. They also discussed potential solutions to the growing biodiversity crisis.

Read More

The DGNB building material passport

The DGNB building material passport – documentation for more closed-loop building

The building sector is undergoing a transformation, moving away from linear practices to a systematically circular economy. What sounds entirely logical and highly appealing in theory, however, has until now been a huge challenge in practice. The new building material passport, launched to coincide with our annual online conference, offers a key DGNB instrument for pulling together documentation that will provide important support with this transformation. Our aim is to establish a common basis in this area and create transparency. During the recent event, as well as discussing the content of the passport and different ways to use it, experts considered where to go next with this important document. We look back at the discussion.

Read More

Baukultur at the DGNB

The DGNB has been appointed to the steering committee of the recently founded Davos Baukultur Alliance. The appointment was announced at the Second Conference of European Ministers of Culture. The platform brings together representatives of business, the public sector and civil society with the aim of jointly safeguarding high-quality Baukultur in Europe. This is a good opportunity to take a closer look at the importance of Baukultur at the DGNB.

Read More

Building and life cycle assessments. How adaptable will architecture need to be in the future?

Time and again we see evidence that we stopped expecting buildings to last for eternity many years ago. No sooner the first signs of patina appear on a building – after twenty, thirty or forty years – people start discussing whether it should be torn down, or whether it would make sense to renovate it after all. In a recent interview, DGNB CEO Dr Christine Lemaitre and Thomas Auer, professor for climate-friendly building at the Technical University of Munich, explained why that doesn’t have to be the case.

Read More

10 years of award-winning sustainable architecture

It’s been a good two weeks since the Wilmina Hotel received the German Sustainability Award (GSA) in the category for architecture. The bestowal of this award – for the conversion of a former women’s prison in the Berlin suburb of Charlottenburg – follows in the steps of some prodigious projects over the past ten years. Looking back, it’s clear that many of the projects that have won the award were ahead of their time. They also helped trigger debate that is as pertinent today as it has ever been.

Read More

Edge Suedkreuz

Truly outstanding: the Edge Suedkreuz office complex in Berlin

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. A wise old saying, and one that proved to be totally true for the developer Edge. When Edge first started planning the Edge Suedkreuz office complex in 2019, the hybrid timber construction it plumped for was still new territory and an area few had detailed experience in. Fast forward to October 2022 and the project has been officially confirmed as the highest-scoring development ever certified by the DGNB. Based on their feedback, the users of the office complex can attest to this – on all fronts. The bold undertaking was certainly worth it.

Read More

From Level(s) to taxonomy – why the DGNB System is brimming with EU thinking

Taxonomy and the Level(s) reporting framework are intended to make the often vague concept of sustainability more understandable to everyone in Europe, especially when it comes to sustainable business and the construction and property industry. The DGNB adapted to this development early on and has incorporated EU sustainability goals in its thinking. But how ‘European’ actually is the DGNB System?

Read More

LIFE Level(s)

LIFE Level(s) – Making sustainability comprehensible throughout the EU

Promoting sustainability – including in construction – is a self-declared goal of the European Union. Therefore, the project LIFE Level(s) was launched in 2019 to raise awareness for the topic among an interested public as well as the groups of actors involved in the construction of buildings. The findings of the project, which is scheduled to run until the end of 2022, have already resulted in a number of tools and publications for practical use. Reason enough to draw an interim conclusion.

Read More

Evangelical Bank Kassel

A sustainable connection – the Evangelical Bank in Kassel

For architects, working on existing buildings can be exciting, but it can also be quite challenging. Apart from technical imponderables, it’s important to ensure ideas brought to the table work in harmony with things already in place. Reichel Architects have succeeded in bringing buildings owned by the Evangelical Bank in Kassel in tune with modern times – not only in terms of design, but also when it comes to energy use.

Read More

Christine Lemaitre Portrait

Time’s running out – why the German BEG funding for new buildings is needed

For days now, everywhere we look we’re forced to hear outcry, warnings and worries about changes to building efficiency funding – the German BEG scheme for new buildings. The criticism being levelled at the new rule, which means subsidies will only be awarded if sustainability factors are taken into account, comes in as many guises as the topic of sustainable construction itself. We no longer want to watch what is happening without passing comment.

Read More

Sustainable Building in Europe

Sustainable construction in Europe – a chance to compare notes

Sustainable construction is booming in Germany. So how are things going for our neighbours? How is sustainable building faring in other European countries and where does Germany stand in comparison? DGNB CEO Dr Christine Lemaitre seized the opportunity offered by our 2022 annual congress to exchange notes with our friends and partners working for the Green Building Council in other European countries.

Read More

Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations, Credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elías

Sustainable Development Goals: “no add-on for business as usual” (Part 2)

A better world in 2030 is to be achieved with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. To ensure that these are seen and heard, Marc Buckley is campaigning as an advocate for the SDGs. In this second part of the interview, we talk about the status quo, green washing, the role of the building sector and where the journey is headed.

Read More

Sustainable Development Goals: “better model for the future” (Part 1)

End poverty, protect the climate, equality, leaving no one behind. The content of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) sounds just right, but how do you get there? Many have racked their brains over this, including Marc Buckley. He has been appointed by the UN as an advocate for the SDGs. In this first of a two-part interview he talks about his role and how the SDGs are really to be understood. Read More

fire station caldern

First of a kind: Caldern fire station awarded DGNB Gold

In Germany, the community of volunteer firefighters plays a key role in dealing with fires, floods and other major incidents. Recently, a new working facility was built for the special community of volunteers in the Hessian town of Caldern. Now, when an emergency call comes in, the firefighters burst out of a sustainable building that is even the proud owner of a DGNB Gold Certificate. It’s also worth mentioning that it was the first time in the history of the DGNB that a firefighting organisation has been through the certification process.

Read More

Global exchange of knowledge on climate-friendly construction

Knowledge from around the world: Master Classes for climate-friendly construction

On 22 July 2021, Dr Christine Lemaitre (CEO, DGNB – German Sustainable Building Council) and Prashant Kapoor (Chief Industry Specialist, IFC Climate Business Group, World Bank Group) kicked off the free Master Classes of the Building Sense Now initiative and MISEREOR. Since then, people from 47 countries have participated in the global knowledge exchange on climate-smart building. All past events are available online. One more Master Class will be taking place in February, and more are in the planning.

Read More

Thomas Kraubitz was a member of the jury of the Green Solutions Awards 2020/21

“Sustainable building should be a sport for the masses”

Replicable solutions for sustainable and climate-friendly construction worldwide – projects that adhere to such principles are honoured by the international Green Solutions Awards. This year’s award ceremony took place on November 10 at the 26th Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Among the jury members was Thomas Kraubitz, Director and Head of Sustainability in Europe at Buro Happold, and a member of the DGNB board of directors. We spoke to Mr Kraubitz about recent developments in the industry worldwide and current trends in the area of sustainable building.

Read More

Axel Springer

A DGNB Certificate in Diamond for the new Axel Springer building in Berlin

Established office setups have been shaken from top to bottom since coronavirus arrived nearly two years ago. In response, more flexible working arrangements have been required. At Axel Springer, a change in thinking was already underway before the pandemic. In 2013, an architecture project was put out to tender for a new building offering ultimate flexibility in terms of work structures. The new Axel Springer building entered use in 2020 and is now open for business to more than 3000 employees. As well as receiving DGNB certification in gold for high standards of sustainability in new construction, the building also received DGNB certification in diamond to underscore its high architectural quality.

Read More

Renovations in keeping with preservation orders – the Gloria Berlin office and business building

As well as shaping our environment, buildings preserve the memory of times long past. Achieving climate targets also means it’s important to look after existing buildings, as was the case in Berlin recently with the refurbishment of a residential building more than 130 years old. The project has underscored that it is possible to carry out renovations in keeping with preservation orders and sustainability needs.

Read More

Dr Christine Lemaitre

For those in doubt, time has run out – statement on the IPCC report

What we’re hearing isn’t surprising – sadly – but that doesn’t make it any less shocking or, above all, any less significant: the Sixth Assessment Report on the world climate puts an end to the era of climate change denial. To maintain tolerable levels of life on Earth, decisive action is required now. The only real option available to us is to systematically cut carbon emissions. This is where action is called for across the entire building sector – and time is running out.

Read More

Less is more – the new science building at Schubart Grammar School in Aalen

The new biology and chemistry block at Schubart Grammar School in Aalen – what better place for students and teachers to experience at first hand the interplay between construction excellence and science. Developed by Liebel Architekten BDA in collaboration with Transsolar, the science wing makes groundbreaking use of three environmentally friendly forms of energy: light, thermal energy, and geothermal energy. It’s a pleasant place to learn science. And now it proudly sports a DGNB Climate Positive award.

Read More

Building and biodiversity – our commitment

The 15th UN Biodiversity Conference has been rescheduled to take place in October of this year in the Chinese city of Kunming. At the conference – known as the CBD COP 15 – member states will set a new 10-year strategy until 2030. Currently, the DGNB is the only association in the building sector to have made a clear commitment to the CBD. Why? Because there are many overlaps between building and biodiversity – as this post explains in a nutshell.
Read More

Crossing the finish line 29 years early

Completing the last part of the Eisbärhaus – the so-called polar bear house – took almost exactly one year. The ensemble of buildings that lends its name to the animal from the Arctic comprises two existing buildings (Segment A and B) and a now a new building (Segment C). The idea was to do things as differently as possible compared to conventional building projects. Looking back, the architect and the DGNB project auditor tell the story behind the building. It’s a tale of twelve months, torn between the desire to try anything remotely possible, ambitious goals, Swabian records and working with so-called moon phase timber.
Read More

Position paper DGNB BAK DUH

Programme of immediate action for an environmental problem child: the building sector

The German government has presented the results of its 2020 climate targets. The building sector failed to make the grade. What this means in tangible terms is that simply carrying on as before is not even an option. Immediate action is required. Which means a plan now – as in the next three months. It is therefore quite fitting that – practically simultaneously – the DGNB, Environmental Action Germany (DUH) and the Federal Chamber of Architects (BAK) presented a position paper that is ideal for exactly that.

Read More

A sustainable district is more than the sum of optimised buildings

The construction industry’s transformation towards more sustainability cannot be solved on the basis of only optimising individual buildings. Instead, the focus is shifting to optimising whole districts. The DGNB offers an independent system for this topic. Dr. Stephan Anders, DGNB Head of Certification, has gathered some information on sustainable cities, districts and the challenge of planning sustainable living environments.
Read More

© Fairphone, via flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

The implications of new supply chain legislation for the building sector

Too many firms are still going about business in ways that lead to exploitation of both people and nature. This also applies to the construction industry. Long overdue, the proposed Supply Chain Actin in Germany will bring us a step closer to focusing more attention on this issue. But the requirements still fall short in terms of consistency. The DGNB has a clear vision of what a fair supply chain looks like, and it continues to appeal for more voluntary action.

Read More

The year 2020 – Highlights of DGNB certified projects

2020 was also an unusual and challenging year for the construction industry. Nevertheless, projects were realised last year that were impressive and most importantly demonstrate what is possible in terms of sustainability. Clear the stage for a selection of DGNB-certified building projects that prove that 2020 was far from being a lost year in sustainable construction.

Read More

Ursula von der Leyen // CC-BY-4.0: © European Union 2019 – Source: EP

A new European Bauhaus movement? Count us in!

With its Green Deal, the EU under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen has caused quite a stir. When it comes to climate protection and sustainability, there’s a new spirit of optimism. It’s right and important that the building industry plays a central role on this path to becoming the ‘first carbon-neutral continent’. The penny has finally dropped and not been ‘lobbied off the stage’ by reservations and objections.

Read More

Closing the gap: the DGNB certificate for the deconstruction of buildings

Circular Economy or Cradle to Cradle is often talked about when it comes to planning buildings or developing products. The question the logistics and processes at the end of use is hardly ever discussed. But if we do not make deconstruction sustainable and do not close cycles of materials at this point, many problems will remain unsolved. The DGNB would like to change this!
Read More

The myth of increased costs due to sustainable building

The myth of increased costs in sustainable building

“I would like to build more sustainably, but the costs…”: The fear of additional costs due to sustainability often leads to doubts and hesitations during planning and implementation. A new study from Denmark now shows with regard to new building construction that this is unfounded. Here it becomes clear: more sustainable does not equal more expensive. On the contrary. Read More

Portrait Patrick Teuffel

“Structural engineers can make a big difference in terms of sustainability”

Buildings contain a lot of material. These in turn are valuable resources that are becoming increasingly scarce and are responsible for many CO2 emissions. Structural engineers can counteract this consumption of materials on a massive scale. At least that is how professor Patrick Teuffel sees it. We spoke with him about built heavyweights and the current state of research in the world of materials.

Read More

“A building stands for lifelong learning!”

Understanding and optimising a building in its entirety, creating an aesthetically pleasing and functional company headquarters, making bicycles synonymous with a trendy way of life, living sustainably, driving his business forward – these are the goals entrepreneur Dirk Zedler wanted to achieve with a single construction project. Building the headquarters for Zedler Fahrradwelt is a project, which makes use of the DGNB Sustainability Certificate for Buildings In Use to create an interconnected, sustainable building.
Read More

“The efforts of China will have a significant impact on the global sustainable development”

The Chinese Landsea Group, established in 2001, is among the Top 100 Real Estate Developers of the country and specialized on green tech properties. Xie Yuanjian, Vice President and CTO, talks in our interview about the situation of his company in China, the development of green building and efforts to change the industry to the better.
Read More

„We want to demonstrate that environmental protection and running a business are compatible“

The way we plan and operate our buildings offers enormous potential for saving climate-damaging CO2 emissions. However, to fully exploit this potential, it is important to take an honest, systematic look at our own consumption. DGNB member CSMM – architecture matters has implemented exactly this for its own company. Timo Brehme, founder and managing partner, reports on the motivations, experiences and insights.

Read More

Prof. Thomas Auer, Transsolar

Phase Sustainability – exchanging ideas openly and honestly at the first network get-together

Architects and specialist planners involved in the Phase Sustainability initiative ‘met up’ for the first time on 28 July. The main idea of the get-together was to share people’s experiences dealing with sustainability issues when building. By the end of the day, the participants had benefited from a number of long-overdue discussions and gained many valuable insights. Time for Phase Sustainability to enter the next round.

Read More