Sustainable certification
More than 500,000 square meters of our buildings now carry a sustainability certificate. This proves that they meet established sustainability quality standards. They perform well energy-wise, use biobased materials, contribute to the health of their occupants, and the building materials can be reused.
We speak the language of investors. At the outset of a design process, we work with the client to identify sustainability ambitions and how we can embed them, for example, with a certificate. Such a certificate increases a building's market value and makes it attractive to socially responsible, green investors. A certificate is often required for subsidies, leasing, or sales. As we like to say: sustainability is pure profit.
A certificate increases the market value of a building and makes it attractive to socially responsible, green investors
BREEAM
The Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC) – where Paul de Ruiter serves on the board – has adapted the international BREEAM quality mark to the Dutch market. The DGBC has developed guidelines for each type of building, covering energy, occupant health, transport, water use, materials, waste, ecology, and pollution.
LEED
LEED is an American standard used internationally. The certification assesses the sustainable management of the location, water, energy, and atmosphere, materials and resources, the building's indoor environment, and the implementation of innovative applications.
GPR
GPR, short for Municipal Practical Guidelines, allows you to measure and compare the sustainability of buildings. It measures CO₂ reduction and energy efficiency, the environmental friendliness of the materials used and their reusability, the health and comfort of the indoor climate, how pleasant and practical the building is for its occupants, and how future-proof and valuable the building is.
WELL
The WELL Building Standard focuses primarily on health and well-being in buildings. What is the air quality like? How is water managed? Is there sufficient daylight? Does the building encourage movement (for example, are you quicker to the stairs than the elevator?). Do people feel comfortable there, for example, because biobased materials have been used, or because you can see trees and sky? WELL is often combined with BREEAM or LEED.
Frisse Scholen
Frisse Scholen (Fresh Schools) is a certification for healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient school buildings. A Frisse Scholen (Fresh School) has fresh air in the classrooms and less CO₂ buildup during the day. The temperature is not too high in summer or too low in winter, the acoustics are good, there is ample daylight and pleasant artificial lighting, and the building consumes little energy.
