Thermal building simulations serve the evaluation of comfort in a building. This instrument must preferably be applied in an early phase of the planning in order to be able to optimally match the influence variables and interactions of the boundary conditions, such as building envelope, sun protection, ventilation concept and condition, room volumes and occupancy rates for future use. On the 3D computer model, you can visualise how the overall building or individual sub-sections behave under certain weather conditions. The results permit the optimisation of the planning and evaluation of the interior comfort in accordance with DIN 4108-2 and DIN EN 15251 as well as verification management in line with the valuation systems DGNB, BNB and LEED.
Daylight is an architectural design tool with high impact on the well-being and productivity of the user. Using a simulation, the supply of daylight in a room or building of any geometry is assessed. The artificial light requirement can be determined and blinding effects avoided. In addition to façade properties and the colouring of the indoor rooms, shading caused by surrounding building is considered. The assessment takes place based on coloured graphics to the light distribution, daylight factor as well as the daylight supply factor. The instrument also serves as verification in the scope of a sustainability certification in accordance with DGNB or LEED.
The central instrument for evaluating the energy efficiency of a building and minimum requirements in accordance with LEED is the preparation of an integrated building and system simulation. This so-called Energy Model complies with the requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 and takes place using a software programme validated in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140. When considering the energy tariffs agreed (location, project and operator-dependent), a prediction of the energy costs to be expected is prepared when considering the system and process technology as well as the quality of the building envelope. The goal is an optimisation accompanying the planning process with respective benefits for future operation of the building.
The LEED system requires that the DGNB system rewards the commissioning of an independent expert from the planning and construction team, designated as Commissioning Agent, abbreviated: CxA. In this function, we check and document that all systems relevant for the energy comply with the specifications for the planning tasks and basic evaluation as well as show the required functionality and performance. The so-called Fundamental Commissioning includes an aid for the developer with the formulation and translation of the planning tasks, the development of a so-called Commissioning Plan, formulation of tender texts as well as participation and documentation in the scope of the commissioning. On request, this service can be expanded.
With the consideration of the total costs of a property over its life cycle, the greatest part relates to its operation (energy, cleaning, maintenance) and not to the manufacturing. As this is the case, the operating costs offer a high potential in savings and influence the value stability of the property (higher property value when selling, low risk of staying empty). The cash value method applied by us corresponds with ISO 15686-5:2008 as well as the requirements of DGNB. The basis for the calculation is formed by the selected manufacturing costs of cost group 300 and 400 as well as the utilisation costs selected in accordance with DIN 18960 and VDI 2067. Accompanying the planning process, the instrument is used to reduce operating costs for the amortisation calculation of construction measures.
Buildings produce emissions during their life cycle, from manufacturing, use, disassembly up to recycling. These are transferred to the air, water and ground and thus contribute to the climate change in the form of increasing the greenhouse potential, destruction of the ozone layer, summer smog, forest dieback and fish mortality as well as the over-fertilizing of the ground. The goal of this instrument is to reduce this influence by forward-looking planning. Basic regulating factors are a high energy efficient design, the use of renewable energies as well as recycling content in or the recyclability of building materials. The verification management applied by us takes place in the scope of the DGNB as well as the LEED valuation acceptance and is the basis of the CO2 reporting, see separate services.
Planning instructions | Tender criteria | Construction site inspections | Ambient air measurements
Low harmful substances, odour as well as emissions and thus a healthy indoor air quality is a main feature of a user-friendly building and is considered in diverse sustainability systems such as DGNB, LEED, HCH, NaWoh or WELL. Independent if this goal is followed as an element of a certification or instrument for quality assurance by the owner-occupier, we assist you from the planning up to the final documentation, exemplary by the preparation of guidelines and tender criteria for material selection, construction site inspections, material approvals as well as the execution of pollutant measurements as verification of a successful implementation.
Since the end of 2015, all non-SME companies must have carried out an energy audit in accordance with Sections 8 et seq. EDL-G and according to DIN EN 16247-1. Then there is an obligation to carry out an audit again at least every four years. Being a registered consultant (consultant number 210513) at the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control BAFA, we support you with a comprehensive valuation of the respective locations and work closely together with the local Facility Management. We analyse and validate the results and derive possibilities for improvement of the energy efficiency. We suggest respective measures and prepare a schedule for the implementation, supplemented by economic feasibility studies as well as information for applicable grants, where applicable.
Based on the data of the Ökobaudat of the federal government as well as according to the normative specifications of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, the Life Cycle Assessment offers us a basis for the CO2 balance for individual components, all building materials as well as the operating phase (energy consumption) of the building. These data can be expanded to break down the data for the entire life cycle (considering the investment and removal) to annual CO2 values from the operation, provided with credit notes and extended over the entire urban district. In the first step, it is important to clarify the consideration limit; CO2 neutral is not necessarily a serious statement.
For this purpose, the DGNB provides a document designated as “Framework for climate-neutral buildings” where the theme, from our point of view, has been prepared very comprehensible. We would be happy to present you with versions of possible consideration variants.
