Bilfinger Berger Magazine 1/2009

JUSTICE CENTER IN CHEMNITZ RECOGNIZED
The Chemnitz Justice Center was awarded the initial German Seal of Quality for Sustainable Building. Two other Bilfinger Berger projects were also singled out: the Regionshaus in Hanover, also a PPP project, and the Munich office building Laim 290. A total of 16 objects were certified.

The Seal of Quality developed by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs and the German Association for Sustainable Building (DNB) sets standards that are substantially higher than those applied by international sustainability certification bodies. Buildings are assessed in terms of ecology and economy, socio-cultural and functional aspects, technology, processes and locational qualities. The entire building lifecycle is analyzed.

This lifecycle approach makes the certificate particularly attractive to investors, since operating and maintenance costs substantially affect returns. The Seal of Quality aspires to play a role in climate protection by making it more attractive to design sustainable buildings. After all, buildings still account for around 40 percent of Germany’s total CO₂ emissions. (si)

Bilfinger Berger Magazine 1/2009