Environmental Certifications
Please find below two examples of reference standards for measuring environmental quality in the AEC sector.
PassivHaus Certification
This certification, under the PassivHaus-Institut founded in the late 1990s in Darmstadt, Germany, envisions a building that provides maximum thermal comfort with minimal energy demand.
Regarding the building’s location and orientation, the surrounding environment is taken into account in each case. For example, the placement of doors and windows is designed according to solar radiation and exposure to air currents. In houses outside urban areas, other factors such as proximity to an underground water flow may also be considered.
Another aspect analyzed in detail is the selection of materials and sealing techniques to prevent heat from flowing between the interior and exterior. For instance, materials that may generate thermal bridges or air leaks in conventionally unexpected areas, such as boxes housing blinds or pipes carrying wiring.
A passive building also emphasizes controlled ventilation systems that renew indoor air while recovering heat from the extracted air.
Key requirements include a heating and cooling energy demand below 15 kWh/m²/year, a total energy demand below 120 kWh/m²/year, and airtightness below 0.6 air changes/hour.
LEED Certification
This certification was established in 1998, driven by the U.S. Green Building Council, with the aim of standardizing sustainable construction criteria to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
To obtain it, a project must meet mandatory prerequisites and accumulate points across categories such as energy, water, materials, indoor air quality, innovation, and location. The requirements include minimum energy efficiency, responsible water management, waste reduction, the use of sustainable materials, and compliance with environmental regulations. The certification is awarded at different levels (Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum) based on the total score.
Strategies include optimizing passive design, improving thermal insulation, installing efficient HVAC systems, incorporating renewable energy, and implementing water-saving technologies. Materials with low environmental impact should be selected, recycling on-site promoted, indoor air quality improved, and sustainable mobility encouraged. Early integration of the design team is key.