Sustainable buildings

Sustainable building

A new building is not built overnight. Building is a long-term endeavour, with preferably a long-term vision. That is why it is important to make the right choices at the start of the construction work so that your building will continue to meet the increasingly stringent climate objectives. BREEAM, LEED, HQE, DGNB, WELL or Green Building sustainability certifications help in this respect. By following these standard procedures, you can rest assured that your building is sustainable and future proof.

Sustainability certification

A sustainability certification is an independent assessment system to quantify the sustainability of buildings. Buildings are assessed using either an existing rating system or one set up by yourself, which is then translated into a certificate. The sustainability certificate is a guarantee to the building owner that the building has been built sustainably and is therefore ready for future climate objectives. Moreover, this certificate is also proof to external parties—when selling or renting out—that it meets the corporate social responsibility requirements. Encon is an accredited sustainability expert and assessor. In other words, we are able to assess the buildings ourselves for the most common plans, in addition to project management. Encon can also assist in conducting various sub-studies for certification, alongside assistance in obtaining the certificate. These sub-studies contribute to the final score of the project, such as daylight simulation, dynamic building simulation, travel plan, etc.

BREEAM

The BREEAM rating system is developed in the UK and has already BREEAM-certified more than 593,000 buildings worldwide.

More information

LEED / HQE / DGNB

BREEAM has several international counterparts: the LEED rating system is the American version; HQE is the French version; with DGNB being the German version. These systems are all similar at the core but have subtle differences in the interpretation of the parameters.

More information

WELL

WELL focuses primarily on the effect of buildings on health and well-being and ensures that people feel well inside a building.

More information

GREEN BUILDING MANUAL

Companies looking for a way to commercialise sustainability but do not want to rely on general standards can benefit from our help in creating their own unique sustainability standard.

More information

Consulting

Our audits serve as the basis for mapping out the current situation. We will help you see the forest for the trees again in terms of possible rating systems and create a plan of action to evolve towards the ideal future scenario.

Procurement

The action plan is put into effect by bringing together a team tailored to each new challenge. All participants are challenged to give their very best at competitive conditions, and we negotiate quality assurance with all parties involved.

Management

We are the go-to for all parties involved and report on the progress of the project, which guarantees the qualitative completion of each project.

The benefits of collaboration

Buildings have an important footprint on our planet. So, it is not surprising that Europe is making buildings an important part in its Green Deal to reduce the impact on our planet. Moreover, buildings are important for our well-being. Whether in offices or production halls: if the environment is tailored to the needs of the user, this will have a positive impact on the general well-being.

Improved well-being

In 'the olden days', the workplace was a physical aspect and often seen as a cost item that needed to be reduced as much as possible. This attitude has already given way to a completely different vision in a number of organisations: the workplace as a means of improving performance. In other words, it is not a cost item but a means to increase productivity and profit.

A stronger image

Consumers, clients and employees are becoming increasingly sensitive to the way companies and brands treat their assets. Investing in sustainable real estate will contribute to strengthening the image of a company, brand or product in the long term.

Lower costs

A company's energy consumption is an important part of its cost structure—and buildings are a big culprit. Variable costs can be cut by building or renovating companies in a more sustainable way.

Long-term compliance

It has become a given that governments will adopt increasingly stringent measures with regard to the footprint of companies. However, clients and consumers will also impose ever-higher demands. Sustainable asset management, which already generates interesting benefits, will ensure that your company remains relevant in the long term.