From the very first sketch, sustainability plays an integral part in the life cycle of a building – design, construction, maintenance and use, as well as future demolition or transformation. Energy management plays a key role in this too.

To create state-of-the-art energy-efficient and sustainable buildings, we use the concept of the Trias Energetica model. This model describes a sequence of steps for reaching maximum energy sustainability in the building sector. First, energy efficiency is maximized by decreasing energy consumption. Second, energy buffers in and around the building make optimal use of day and night conditions and the change of seasons. Third and last, the building itself produces additional energy through the use of renewable energy sources.

Besides having EPC labels, our designs come with classifications based on programmes like BREEAM, GreenCalc+ and GPR Gebouw. Examples of sustainable buildings include the Eneco head office and the NoMa house, with offices and public space, has achieved an ‘excellent’ BREEAM score. The new building for the European Patent Office meets its own very high standard, consisting of BREEAM and German BNB (‘Bewertungssystem für nachhaltiges Bauen’) requirements.