Press release – Environment, Technology and Design – 29 of September 2011, Bucharest
October 13, 2011 at 6:00 pm | Posted in Certification, Events, Training | Leave a commentTags: BREEAM, Certification, Events, LEED, Romania Green Building Council, Technology and Design, Training
Romania Green Building Council organized a full day course focused on “Environment, Technology and Design” which took place at University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu” on September 29. The purpose of this course was to involve the regional and the national representatives of the companies working in the technological field, independent data centers, various business requiring data centers, architects, products designers, academical field and other professionals interested in finding new ways to benefit from the energy efficiency changes and the responsibility towards the environment, defined on the innovators and advanced technologies background.
Conference presentations in the event provided useful information about the opportunity and importance of a more environmentally responsible approach to designing, renovating, and operating technology intensive buildings. Information technology use, of course, is supplying us with powerful tools to solve our environmental and energy challenges; provided we move quickly to utilize the best solutions.
The objectives of this conference were to:
1) Demonstrate the business case for improving energy efficiency related to the extensive and growing use of technology;
2) Showcase the growing supply of sophisticated tools to achieve better performance in the visual and environmental design of our buildings and to operate them with greater energy and cost efficiency;
3) Provide examples of Green Office initiatives that save money, improve health, and increase productivity.
Moreover, the workshop was structured in such a way that the participants had the opportunity to actively interact with their lecturers during the interactive sessions based on questions and answers.
In the first part the event was focused on information regarding the business best practices. Thus, Mr. Steven Borncamp, the President of Romania Green Building Council, emphasized the necessity to include the concepts of sustainable design, renovation and operation necessary to construction industry into the business environment. Mr. Saulo Spaolanse, Country President Schneider Electric, drew attention to the existing issues on energy efficiency and also to the role played by technology for creating a sustainable economy, emphasizing the financial benefit associated to green building construction as well:
“We understand the need for a more sustainable environment, considering the fact that green buildings are an imperative when talking about energy issues […] thus, the question we need to ask ourselves is: How can we solve this problem and what do we need to do this?”
Mrs. Maria-Daniela Toma, counselor within Ministry of Environment – The Department for Environment Protection and Sustainable Development – offered information about the eco-labeling process for the construction materials in Romania, while Mrs. Corina Truica, CEMS Technologies presented information regarding the new local and European legislation, the market demand and offer for sustainable buildings as well as the influence of the legislative proposals for the green building market. The main topics in this section emphasized the impact put on construction: the energetic performance of the buildings, the integration of renewable energy sources (including the buildings sector), the standards of energetic performance for the components having a significant impact on energy consumption, the end user energy efficiency, lowering carbon emissions in non-ETS sectors (including buildings) and building generated waste.
Alinda Dudu, Epstein Architecture & Engineering provided a comparison between the most popular international systems of voluntary certification: LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and BREEAM – BRE Environmental Assessment Method by using the case studies made on regional level.
The second part was dedicated to the discussions about sustainable architecture principles and ecological materials; benefits, availability and financial considerations. Meanwhile, the available solutions in Central and Eastern European regions as well as the strategies for creating and managing greener working spaces were presented. Michel Arres, Vice-President IT Business Central Europe discussed about the energetic dilemma and the consequences for companies which are using data centers in their activity, offering at the same time internal examples of best practices. Tudor Trita, CEO Archibus Solution Center pointed out some simple solution given by the technological development that allows us to become more environment friendly and more efficient at the same time. Mr. Prof. PhD Dorin Beu , Technical University of Cluj Napoca and Director of RoGBC Transilvania Branch discussed about the different approaches to release the creativity by using energy efficient lighting solutions as well as their applicability within the pilot project initiated by RoGBC – “ecobiblioteca” , which implies an exemplary renovation of the public library in Suceava county, Cacica village done by following the sustainable building principles. This building will be a certified green building through the system of voluntary certification “Living Building Challenge”. Based on this project RoGBC wishes to create an example of sustainability, responsibility towards the environment and best practices in the construction process for the local communities and for the Romanian authorities. Ioana Busila, Corporate Relation Officer WWF Romania provides the best practices examples of green working spaces that are returning revenue, improve the interior air quality and increase the employees productivity, while Monica Zarnescu, Green Office & Operations Specialist and Cristina Siu, Manager Marketing and Events offered details about sustainable practices implemented for the “Green Office” strategy within RoGBC organization.
Dan Constantinescu, Nemetschek Romania representative made an analysis regarding nowadays buildings pointing out the energy strategy of Bucharest.
In the third part of the event Timea Paal, Project Specialist Romania Green Building Council and Ambassador Living Building Challenge initiated a discussion about buildings and work spaces in the future as well as ways of making efficient buildings from the energy point of view by using the “Living Building Challenge” system of voluntary certification.
With more than 100 participants, the event was a real success. Various participants at the workshop were key representatives from the sustainable construction sector and IT industry, construction companies, architects, engineers, technology and service providers, students and teachers, public authorities. The event organizers offered to the participant students a limited number of scholarships.
Organizer:
Romania Green Building Council (www.RoGBC.org)
New graduates of the “Romania Green Building Professional” certification and training program
July 15, 2011 at 4:20 pm | Posted in Certification | Leave a commentTags: Certification, conference, Green Building Council, sustainability, Training
We would like to congratulate the following persons for their commitment, participation, ideas and other contributions for the “Romania Green Building Professional” certification and training program:
Andreea Carastoian, Strucon Proiect
Raluca Primejdie, Architect
Lucian Opris, Bluehouse Capital
Monica Marza, West Group Architecture
The intensive program includes 56 hours of multidisciplinary training in sustainable construction principles. The RoGBC wishes each of you success in transforming Romania’s built environment to the highest levels of green performance.
Click here for the full list of Romania Green Building Professional graduates.
Vila Piatra Soimului, Member of the RoGBC, received the European Ecolabel
June 14, 2011 at 1:16 pm | Posted in Certification, News from Members | 1 CommentTags: Certification, ecolabel
Vila Piatra Soimului, Sinaia received at the end of May the European Ecolabel, becoming the third touristic operator that has this distinction and the first on Prahova Valley. The villa, situated in Cumpatu neighborhood is currently under a renovation process and will open its doors to the tourists shortly . You are invited to spend your holiday ava in a brand new restaurant with 100 seats, a wonderful 1200 sm park available d 15 rooms. The idea of applying for the Ecolabel started from the concern expressed by the owner for a more sustainable environment and also at the recommendation of the Romania Green Building Council.
Congratulations!
Our latest recipient of the “Romania Green Building Professional” certification & training program
March 29, 2011 at 11:46 am | Posted in General, Training | Leave a commentTags: Certification, Romania Green Building Professional
Our latest recipient of the “Romania Green Building Professional” certification & training program is Arh. Alexandru Ene.
Arh. Alexandru Ene receiving his diploma from Steven Borncamp - President RoGBC
Congratulations Alexandru!
See full list of graduates here
Green Buildings in Romania…
February 8, 2011 at 5:22 pm | Posted in Certification, General, Green Building Projects | 1 CommentTags: BREEAM, Cascade Group, Certification, Euro Tower, green buildings
The EuroTower acheived a BREEAM “Very Good” rating and awaits final “post construction” certification and its first tenant’s have had a chance to settled in. RoGBC is pleased to present the opinions of Cascade Group’s Alex van Breemen – one of the early proponents (and executors) of green buildings in Romania and WSP Group, the design stage assessor of the project.
What do you see as the biggest benefit and the biggest challenge in undertaking a green project?
Alex van Breemen – The main BREEAM certification benefit for us, as developer, is that attestation that the EuroTower is designed and constructed according with the international standards in terms of quality, energy efficiency, environmental protection and sustainability. This demonstrates Cascade Group’s continued commitment to excellent design and construction practices, enhancing the building performance and workplace environment to our tenants, and reducing overall energy and material consumption in our projects. By going green, Euro Tower provided substantial savings to tenants’ of operating costs, an optimal work environment for employees and a significant contribution to the environment in terms of reduced energy consumption and a clean environment.
The biggest challenge for us, was that we could not find the local expertise or experience for this kind of project and we worked together with WSP Group assessor from London together with our project management team. The first stage of certification was coordinated locally by our project manager Razvan Nica, who was responsible for interpreting the BREEAM requirements and to implement them into the project supported by UK based BREEAM Assessor. The Final certification (post-construction) is ongoing and is done by Razvan – now a BREEAM assessor, who left Cascade Group to setup his own green building assessment business -BuildGreen Romania.
What is WSP’s advice to developers and investors considering building BREEAM certified buildings?
Alex Batraneanu, WSP – Our experience both locally and internationally shows that for developers who plan to get the BREEAM certification for their projects, the sooner they implement BREEAM elements in the design and the more time they spend on planning, the easier and cheaper will be for them to obtain the BREEAM certification. This is applicable for all types of projects from retail and commercial through to healthcare and educational buildings. It is extremely beneficial to have BREEAM certification undertaken by well-known multi-disciplinary practices, particularly ones that employ BREEAM certified designers. Having full knowledge of both the certification and the design process means the consultants can assist the Client to implement BREEAM requirements early in the design and cost-effectively stage in order to spend less time on execution and retro-fitting solutions.
Did your tenants, other investors respond to the green features of your building as you had hoped?
Alex van Breemen – For our tenants, the EuroTower features and operation offer support for their corporate environmental policies. Indoor comfort and productivity of the tenants’ employees is enhanced by creating work areas which maximize exposure to natural light and offer sweeping views over the city. In addition, the lighting, heating and cooling systems are controlled by occupants according to their needs and preferences. This together with the high performance equipment make energy savings possible of up to 30% as compared to a standard A-class building which is reflected in the tenants reduced operational costs.
For the investors and also for the tenants, the green building certification is proof of the quality and sustainability of EuroTower from the early design to operational stage.
Do the local regulation support the green building certification process?
Alex Batraneanu, WSP – From nearly 10 years of working in the Romanian market place WSP Group have learned to understand the contradictions between local regulations and availability of resources and the requirements of BREEAM. It is hard to achieve a BREEAM credit for minimizing car park spaces when the local norms stipulate a higher number than BREEAM allow. Knowing which credits to target and, more importantly, having the design knowledge to achieve them is crucial to achieving a good BREEAM rating without increasing build cost.
How has the crisis affected the perceived benefits of green buildings?
Alex van Breemen -I cannot tell you that the real estate crisis has not affected us, but I consider that some important features of a green building, like accessibility of the location, provision of public transportation( metro, trams and busses) as well as lower operational cost for tenants made the EuroTower attractive to potential clients in today’s market conditions.
What are Cascade’s future plans for green buildings?
Alex van Breemen – Cascade Group considers that sustainability must be an integral part of the analysis and management of any new or existing real estate investment. Our long-term business objective is to create high quality, cost-effective, attractive work environment for our clients. We promote responsible and sustainable business practices and continually work toward creating best quality real estate developments will continue to certify all of our future developments with a targeted BREEAM rating of at least “Very Good”.
RoGBC Interview: Class A 2010
February 5, 2010 at 5:24 pm | Posted in Certification, Green Building Projects, News from Members | Leave a commentTags: Certification, class A, Energy Certification, Sustainable Construction
This January, the RoGBC suggests a sustainable New Year resolution: turning your home into a greener one. To prove that this is a feasible target, we invite you to take example form one of our very active members: Perry Zizzi, partner within Badea Clifford Chance, who achieved a Class A certificate for his home.
Lestat Monroe, the person behind the retrofitting of the home, as well as Ila Teodorescu, the auditor who rated the energy efficiency of the house agreed to explain the motivation, method and consequences of rating one’s home.
RoGBC: Why did you get your building audited?
Lestat Monroe: We believe in setting an example that green construction is feasible and desirable in Romania. There is also the personal conviction that we must green our homes and workplaces to ensure sustainability. Finally, there is no doubt that a building certified as energy efficient will — at least in the medium term — be more valuable than a building that is not.
RoGBC: What were your expectations and experience with the process?
L.M.: There is very little information on this, available to the average person. It is difficult to find companies that know the range of options available and that have the requisite expertise to properly install photovoltaic cells and other enhancements. We did all the research and educated ourselves, but we were still often told that nobody in Romania builds green, it is too expensive, etc. Because we made improvements that are not generally used in Romania, we expected that the building would get high marks.
RoGBC: Was the result as high as the expectations?
L.M.: The building earned the highest rating. It was gratifying to see so soon a pay-off from all the planning and extra effort to educate contractors and search for materials.
RoGBC: Will you be taking any next steps?
L.M.: We will continue to monitor technological developments and current trends in an effort to maintain an optimal mix of energy-saving features in the building.
RoGBC: Where is the most room for improvement for Romanian homes/buildings? The biggest ROI?
L.M.: It’s simple: windows need to be closed when the heat or the air conditioning is on. If it is too hot, turn down the heat — don’t open the window. Same if it is too cold when the air conditioning is operating. This behavior is among the most wasteful and inefficient! Besides that, buildings could be better insulated, energy saving bulbs could be used, lights could be put on sensors to turn off automatically when a room is empty and water saving toilets could be used.
RoGBC: How was the process seen from the auditor’s point of view?
Ila Teodorescu: At present, a building is considered to be an organism undergoing permanent evolution, needing to be rehabilitated after a certain time and modernized in order to fit the requirements claimed by the owner, at a specific level.
RoGBC: Where do you think is the most room for improvement in Romanian homes?
I.T.: Improving or increasing energy efficiency has to start as a matter of educating the building users in the spirit of energy saving and has to go through affordable interventions, to energy auditing and finally receiving recommendations for technological improvements of the building. The building envelope is the area where most improvements can be done in order to rehabilitate the building. It is the biggest source of ROI as well. We have to bear in mind the fact that the costs associated with the thermal rehabilitation of a building are lower than the costs of installing a complementary thermal energy capacity.
Common sense and increasingly efficient technology are the two elements driving the future of responsible building. Ignoring either of the two can delay development and have a negative economic impact.
As in any other field, it is the awareness of the possibilities to improve that can transform our reality in a way that could pleasantly surprise even the most skeptical.
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