Press release – Environment, Technology and Design – 29 of September 2011, Bucharest

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)