Horsholm, Denmark: Sustainable buildings are a decisive factor for a more sustainable world – but to what extend can buildings increase quality of life for people, boost productivity at work or reduce health costs for society? A new study will seek to identify, explore and document these effects.
The study will be the first Sustainia Sector Guide developed by Monday Morning, Scandina-via's largest independent think tank and backed, among others, by the VELUX Group as knowledge partner.
A number of examples of potential social gains from sustainable retrofitting and new build-ings have already been identified. At Sustainia's first conference last year, sustainable build-ings was the topic of a workshop for international experts hosted by the VELUX Group. The workshop provided input to the discussion about co-benefits and touched on the evidence of avoided health costs (e.g. allergies), improved learning environments in schools and univer-sities, lower long-term building costs, increased productivity in workplaces, environmental benefits and higher quality of life.
The VELUX Group has just completed a series of six experimental buildings in Europe and demonstrated how it is possible to meet the buildings requirements of 2020 with the products available today. Testimonials from people working and living in the six buildings illustrate the positive effects of a good indoor climate with lots of daylight and natural ventilation.
"There is a large body of evidence that suggests the social and economic effect of sustain-able buildings. Our hope is that this new study will take the next step and map the knowledge that we already have. This will enable us to document the potential effects of even more sustainable houses, offices, schools etc in terms of increased liveability, productivity and learning," said Senior Vice President Michael Rasmussen of the VELUX Group.
The Sustainia Sector Guide about Sustainable Buildings will be published in October 2012.