The Relevance of Building Performance Evaluation for Sustainable Buildings: A German Perspective on Practice, Research, and Teaching

Ulrich Schramm Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences

In Germany, sustainability is a buzzword that has already been in circulation in politicians’ speeches, research programs, or company reports for many years, an often-used term that sometimes seems to be employed just as a fancy catchword. And it is apparent: as diverse as the fields of use are, so different seem to be its meanings. An insight that is apparently true – according to a recent survey among German architects – for the construction industry as well: on the one hand, high-tech constructions and innovative materials promise better solutions for sustainable buildings in the future, on the other hand, low-tech architecture delivers sustainability by using local resources and indigenous handicrafts.

Certification systems, like that of the German Sustainable Building Council (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen – DGNB), aspire to describe and assess buildings that are exceptionally environmentally friendly, resource-efficient, and economical. Yet even today, more than a decade after its introduction, planners, architects, and other stakeholders view the system with some skepticism, considering it more or less a tool for money-making and marketing.

Regardless, owners and occupants of buildings deserve to know that the structures they own and use will meet their requirements and that no part of the process fails in meeting this goal. The latter may help explain the increasing importance of Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) over the last 20 years. It represents a participatory and evidence-based approach to continuously improve the built environment.

In this paper the author outlines today’s challenges for sustainable building in Germany and compares the updated 2018 version of the DGNB System with the well-established BPE Process Model, pointing out similarities and differences as well as strengths and weaknesses. The presentation includes selected case studies taken from practice, the latest research findings, and long-standing university-level teaching.