Energy Campus awarded platinum certification by the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council)

Stiebel Eltron’s Energy Campus, the new training and communications centre, has now been awarded platinum certification by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), having attained the highest rating ever for a building in the “educational facilities” category. Dr Christine Lemaitre, managing director of the DGNB, presented the platinum certificate at a ceremony. It is the highest accolade awarded by the DGNB.  

STIEBEL ELTRON invested 16.5 million euros in the new building, which was officially opened at the end of 2015. DGNB certification was cited as the objective at the time the decision was made to design the new building. Head of the company Dr Ulrich Stiebel and his son Kai, managing directors Karlheinz Reitze (sales and marketing) and Dr Kai Schiefelbein (technology), the head of the training academy Frank Röder, the project manager for construction of the Energy Campus Andreas Fumfél – all were keenly looking forward to the awards ceremony. “This is a historic day for Stiebel Eltron”, said Dr Ulrich Stiebel. Karlheinz Reitze termed the Energy Campus the company’s calling card. “The building is a reflection of our brand image: we have put our company DNA, our core expertise, into architecture, into built reality.” Both staff, business associates and other guests are enthusiastic about the result: “We consider it all in an entirely positive light. The expectations for the new building were already high from the very outset – they were entirely surpassed.”

Dr Christine Lemaitre was evidently impressed – by the building, but also above all by how the subject of DGNB certification, and hence sustainable building, had been taken to heart and put into practice by those responsible. “It is immediately palpable how intensively everyone has pursued the subject and has taken to heart the concept of sustainable, responsible building that is fit for the future. You can justifiably be extremely proud of what you have achieved here – the degree to which the requirements for DGNB certification have been met overall is extremely high at 86 per cent. You could almost describe it as overambitious”, she added with a wink. The challenge of achieving DGNB certification – even silver or gold – is already very tough. “Achieving platinum with this record result is even more remarkable.”

Three key criteria determine eligibility for DGNB certification: the ecological, economic and sociocultural quality of a construction project. These in turn are divided into numerous sub-categories. “The decision to aspire for DGNB certification must be taken right at the outset of a project. The entire process involving design, planning and building needs to be checked, evaluated and, if necessary, adapted repeatedly with regard to DGNB aspects”, explains Andreas Fumfél. “We would not have achieved this success without our partners on the planning and consulting side and if the firms involved had not been willing to work in accordance with the specifications. The requirements also stipulate that the building may not be overly expensive: “Quality must also be satisfied in terms of economics as much as everything else”, said Dr Christine Lemaitre. “This project is an outstanding example for the certification process and the final outcome.”

The deputy mayor of Holzminden, Eberhard Asche, who conveyed congratulations from the town council and administration, was also lavish in his praise: “I find it very impressive. It is obvious that a wealth of expertise and professional skills has been put to use here in order to succeed admirably in a Herculean task. We are proud and grateful that Stiebel Eltron has its headquarters in Holzminden – and the Energy Campus is a further demonstration of its commitment to this location. This award-winning building helps to characterise the town’s urban landscape.”