Design for new Energy Academy Europe building achieves highest sustainability certificate

The Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC) has certified the design for the new Energy Academy Europe building with the highest score possible for sustainability performance. The building boasts the highest BREEAM classification possible: Outstanding. The new Energy Academy Europe building scored the highest number of points in the ‘energy-saving measures’ category. This energy-conscious design fits in perfectly with the ambitions of the future occupants of the building, in which industry, education and academia will join forces to work on the transition to renewable energy.

'With a score of 89,62% iit will becomes the most sustainable education building'

BREEAM rates buildings on nine different sustainability aspects: management processes, health & wellbeing, energy use, transport, water use, materials, waste, land use & ecology and pollution. Buildings can score points for each of these aspects. The design of the new EAE building focused heavily on energy-saving measures, on the one hand by keeping the demand for energy to a minimum, and on the other hand by making maximum use of natural energy sources, such as sun, earth, air and water. The total score for these aspects was 89.62%. The threshold for a BREEAM Outstanding classification is 85%.

Compact, energy-efficient building

The compact building uses geothermal energy sources, concrete core activation, an underground labyrinth for ventilation, rainwater storage and a special energy roof. This not only keeps energy consumption to a minimum, but also ensures that the building generates more power than it needs for climate control. This smart design integrates architecture, technical systems, sustainability and a healthy indoor climate to the highest possible level. The design process also involved ensuring that the building would be able to withstand earthquakes. The guidelines drawn up for BREEAM on this aspect received an innovation credit.

After completion of the building the University of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the Energy Academy Europe, Energy Valley and the Energy Delta Institute will take place in the building to work together and with partners on the transition to a sustainable energy future.

The ‘Outstanding’ design certificate means that the EAE is set to become the most sustainable teaching building in the Netherlands. Certification of the design will be followed by another BREEAM evaluation once the building has been completed.

The work on the design and design certificate was carried out by:

Energy Academy Europe is being built by Friso-Koopmans Bouwgroepcombinatie and Cofely GDF Suez.

Sustainable building process

Sustainability is also being taken into account during the building work itself. The materials used must have a low impact on the environment. For example, water and energy use will be kept to a minimum, waste will be sorted meticulously for recycling and 50% of the concrete will be from recycled concrete granulate.

More information
More information about the design and details of the progress of the building work are available on www.rug.nl/GroundbreakingWork or www.facebook.com/GroundbreakingWork .

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Groundbreaking Work

@University of Groningen

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