DGNB
Sustainable building with international ambition
Sustainable building does not stop at national borders. With DGNB certification, you are choosing an internationally recognised system that takes an integrated approach to sustainability and is perfectly suited to projects with a European or international scope.
DGNB – developed by the German Sustainable Building Council – has now grown into one of the largest networks for sustainable building in Europe. The system helps you to develop buildings that are not only energy-efficient, but also future-proof in terms of use, comfort and value.
What makes DGNB different?
Whilst systems such as BREEAM, LEED and WELL share similar foundations, DGNB places its own emphasis on certain aspects. There is a strong focus on a building’s entire life cycle and its broader impact.
This translates into a balanced assessment of, amongst other things:
- environmental impact and energy performance
- economic value over the building’s lifetime
- user comfort and indoor climate
- use of materials and circularity
- location and mobility
DGNB therefore looks beyond individual measures and assesses how all elements together contribute to a sustainable whole.
When should you opt for DGNB?
DGNB is particularly relevant if you:
- operate internationally or wish to benchmark at European level
- are pursuing an integrated sustainability strategy
- prioritise the long-term value of your property
- want flexibility in design choices without a rigid checklist
In a landscape with hundreds of labels and systems, Encon helps you make the right choice. Not every certificate is suitable for every project. We select the system that creates the most value for your specific context.
Our approach to DGNB certification
A DGNB project requires a well-thought-out and structured approach. We guide you from the initial analysis right through to completion, focusing on feasibility and impact.
We start with a DGNB scan, in which we use a questionnaire to assess which certification level is realistic, including costs and potential payback period.
We then develop an optimisation strategy, selecting credits based on impact, cost and technical feasibility. This helps you avoid unnecessary investments and focus on achieving results.
During the design and implementation phases, we provide:
- substantive guidance and interpretation of DGNB criteria
- integration of sustainability into design decisions
- monitoring of evidence and documentation
- preparation for the final certification
Why work with Encon?
Translating sustainability into concrete projects requires more than just knowledge of a single certification scheme. It requires an understanding of the entire landscape.
Encon combines experience with DGNB, BREEAM, LEED and other systems. This enables us to:
- objectively compare systems
- tailor strategies to your business case
- create synergy between different sustainability goals
We are already supporting projects with a combined value of billions of euros, with one clear focus: sustainable choices that also make economic sense.
Smoother sales of Ghelamco buildings thanks to BREEAM, WELL and DGNB
Ghelamco engaged Encon to enhance their building, The Wings, with international sustainability certifications such as BREEAM, WELL and DGNB. Encon oversaw the entire certification process and ensured smooth collaboration between all parties involved. Thanks to this approach, the building achieved strong certifications and significantly improved comfort and energy performance. This resulted in a higher property value and a faster, more attractive sale.
Customers with a sustainable revenue model:
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A holistic approach to sustainability. By combining sustainability with financial and technical expertise, our experts identify opportunities that make a real difference. We do this by creating financially sound, high-impact projects – enabling clients to generate profit whilst simultaneously building a more sustainable business.
