Project Spotlight: Emerald – Zero Carbon Office Building
Last week we released part one of an interview series about the EMERALD project in Luxembourg. The project is is on-track to become the first office project to be certified with the International Future Living Institute (ILFI) Zero Carbon certification in BeNeLux (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg). The Emerald Building has been built using certified wood and pollutant-free materials. It features a highly efficient heating, cooling and ventilation system, photovoltaic installations, rainwater collection, green roofing, sun protection and light control to minimise the building’s carbon footprint. In addition to these design features, the project has a centralised monitoring and controlling system to collect and analyse consumption data and ensure efficient and green consumption of energy throughout the building’s lifecycle.
The ILFI Zero Carbon Certification is the first worldwide Zero Carbon third-party certified standard. One hundred percent of the operational energy use associated with the project must be offset by new on- or off-site renewable energy. One hundred percent of the embodied carbon emissions impacts associated with the construction and materials of the project must be disclosed and offset. Among other requirements, projects must demonstrate actual net zero carbon operations based on a twelve-month performance period, during which time the project must be occupied consistently with its stated use.
Fabian Theis is the founding partner of ANDANDO Real Estate Group. Here is the second half of the conversation between Living Future Europe’s Jacquie Pierri and Fabian:
Jacquie: What has the early feedback been from the client and the community?
Fabian: The decision to go down the zero carbon route was essentially taken in consultation with the tenant. In this respect, the feedback from the tenant is (in any case) very positive, as this is what they want. In relation to our tenant, we must emphasise that we are currently receiving particularly positive feedback on the design and how positive the room atmosphere is even now, while we are still under construction.
Regarding the community we received especially positive comments regarding the sustainable construction of the project and the use of a somewhat progressive construction method.
Jacquie: How was Zero Carbon achieved? Are there any technical features you would like to highlight?
Fabian: Realising that the construction industry is responsible for over 40% of global CO2 emissions has led us to take a detailed look at all our building materials and to replace big parts of the reinforced concrete structure by a timber-hybrid structure. This has helped to significantly reduce construction related CO2 emissions. All building materials, such as insulation and floor coverings, were carefully selected according to sustainability criteria defined – among others – by DGNB and BREEAM. Last but not least, plastic parts such as switches are made from recycled Ocean Plastic.
As far as the building technology is concerned, particular attention was paid to highly efficient ventilation and cooling systems and appropriate air-to-water heat pumps were installed. The local utility company that supplies the electricity for the technical systems guarantees 100% CO2-neutral electricity. The roof area will be covered with a photovoltaic system to the greatest extent possible in terms of authorisation. Large parts of the remaining roof area are extensively greened.
However, it is also important to convince the user of this approach and to sensitise them to the Zero Carbon topic. We communicated with the tenant in this direction from the outset and also created a corresponding awareness of the sustainability issue among the tenant. As a result, this means that the tenant also complies with and respects the relevant requirements and that sustainability criteria are prioritised when selecting materials.
Jacquie: Are there any lessons learned from the execution of the project?
Fabian: The process of sustainably adapting our EMERALD building with regard to Zero Carbon and placing this topic at the centre of development has helped us to progress as a company. The approach is now being taken up by many market players. It has shown us that it is possible to develop a building economically and customised for the user without having to neglect the focus on zero carbon. Zero carbon provides inspiration and ideas and proves to be absolutely realisable in practice.
Click here to learn more about the project.
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