Heatwaves, heavy rainfall, social division: climate change is transforming our cities and the way we live together. How can the construction and property sectors respond to this and create spaces that are sustainable in the long term? This course will show you practical approaches to designing the built environment in a way that is climate-resilient, resource-efficient and user-friendly. You will gain a concise overview of the key levers and how they interact – from neighbourhood planning to buildings and interiors.
The course is held in German.
With the DGNB System and practical modules, which build on the Basics of Sustainable Building course, you will deepen what you have learned and acquire the necessary know-how to be able to implement DGNB requirements for buildings and districts in practice.
Event details
- Students* in urban planning, architecture, civil engineering, construction or real estate management
- Job starters and young professionals
- Experienced professionals who would like to acquire initial knowledge about sustainable building
- Generally interested people who would like to know more about the topic of sustainability in the context of construction
*Note for students: The Basics of Sustainable Building course is also taught free of charge at some colleges or universities as part of a DGNB university cooperation. You can find a list of our university partners here. The subsequent examination to qualify as a DGNB Registered Professional must be taken through the DGNB Academy and is subject to a fee.
In the Basics of Sustainable Building compact course, you will learn how challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity and social inequality are already affecting the built environment today – and are in turn caused by it. You will gain an overview of potential solutions to these problems and come to understand how environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects are interlinked. This makes it clear why only a holistic approach leads to sustainable outcomes.
As well as learning about fundamental principles and approaches, you will become familiar with the key tools for measuring and assessing sustainability aspects. The aim of the course is to provide a concise introduction to the subject, enabling you to contextualise the objectives and methods of sustainable planning and construction within your day-to-day work and to build on this knowledge to develop your specialist expertise.
Course content at a glance:
Fundamental principles of sustainable planning and construction
- What does sustainability mean in the construction and property sectors?
- Regulatory frameworks (e.g. climate action legislation, EU taxonomy)
- Key concepts: life-cycle approach, circular construction, integrated planning
Urban development and society: designing sustainable neighbourhoods
- Social and functional infrastructure: creating vibrant neighbourhoods
- Resilience and climate adaptation: reducing heat islands, preventing flooding
- Biodiversity: strengthening natural habitats in urban areas
Buildings: planning in a resource-efficient and future-proof manner
- Climate action: using materials, land and energy sustainably
- Life cycle assessment (LCA): measuring and comparing environmental impacts
- Flexibility: increasing adaptability and recycling potential
- Cost-effectiveness: understanding life cycle costing (LCC)
Interiors: health and comfort for users
- Thermal and acoustic comfort: enhancing well-being
- Prevention of harmful substances: healthy materials and air quality
- User satisfaction: participatory planning and user needs
The DGNB System: assessing holistic sustainability
- Objectives and structure of the DGNB System
- Range of applications from planning to certification
- You will gain confirmed basic knowledge on the topic of sustainability in construction.
- You will understand what sustainability means and recognise the need for more sustainability in the construction industry.
- You will gain an overview and understanding of relevant fields of action in sustainable planning and construction at building and district level.
- You will understand the importance of holistic and life cycle-oriented planning to promote sustainability in the building sector.
- You will gain an insight into the DGNB System.
Following the compact course, you can take an optional 60-minute exam to confirm your basic knowledge of sustainability in construction. If you pass the exam, you will be awarded the title DGNB Registered Professional. This is also the first step towards becoming a DGNB Consultant. More information about the DGNB Registered Professional can be found here.
The examination consists of a total of 45 questions on the DGNB Compact Course Basics of Sustainable Building and is completed online. The questions are multiple choice. You must pass the exam with a score of at least 70 percent. If you do not achieve this on your first attempt, you can take a second attempt free of charge. The compact course and online exam are booked separately.
Exam duration
60 min. on one exam day
Event location
online
Price
€290.00 plus VAT
€345.10 incl. 19% VAT
for DGNB members/members of a cooperating training institution1/people working for a local authority, a local government body or a municipal enterprise2
€340.00 plus VAT
€404.60 incl. 19% VAT
for DGNB non-members
€110.00 plus VAT
€130.90 incl. 19% VAT
for students3
1 When booking, please enclose valid evidence of membership of a cooperating training institution.
2 These terms and conditions apply to local authorities in Germany. If you wish to make use of them, please confirm your eligibility during registration. For more information, see the landing page.
3 When booking, please enclose a valid certificate of enrolment.
Reduced fees are subject to the DGNB fee schedule affecting all ordinary members and group members of the DGNB and their employees.
Please note: As training and exam are held in German, please switch to German language settings to make a booking.
Duration and event location
Option 1: Online (live)
2 seminar days (6 hrs. each plus breaks) | from 2027: 3 seminar days (3.5 hrs. each plus breaks)
Option 2: On-demand (DGNB Learning Hub)
5 weeks access to course content
Price
€450.00 plus VAT
€535.50 incl. 19% VAT
for DGNB members/members of a cooperating training institution1/people working for a local authority, a local government body or a municipal enterprise2
€590.00 plus VAT
€702.10 incl. 19% VAT
for DGNB non-members
€330.00 plus VAT
€392.70 incl. 19% VAT
for students3
1 When booking, please enclose valid evidence of membership of a cooperating training institution.
2 These terms and conditions apply to local authorities in Germany. If you wish to make use of them, please confirm your eligibility during registration. For more information, see the landing page.
3 When booking, please enclose a valid certificate of enrolment.
Reduced fees are subject to the DGNB fee schedule affecting all ordinary members and group members of the DGNB and their employees.
Groups (10 participants or more)
For group bookings of 10 people or more, please contact us by writing to ausbildung@dgnb.de.
Please note: as training is held in German, please switch to German language settings to make a booking.
Option 1: Online (live)
The event will take place online via Zoom. You can conveniently log in with the dial-in link via the browser (no need to download the Zoom app) or the Zoom app. You can participate via desktop PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
We recommend using a PC or laptop with a camera, loudspeaker and microphone (alternatively: headset with microphone) as well as a stable internet connection. If you have problems with the audio quality, you can also dial in via a telephone.
You will receive your dial-in data two to three workdays in advance.
Option 2: On-demand (DGNB Learning Hub)
With explanatory videos, text and interactive quizzes, our learning hub allows you to learn at your own pace and work through the content independently. Once booked, you will have access to the course from the tenth day of the booked month until the 16th day of the following month. We recommend that you allow approximately nine hours for the course. Our learning guides will guide you through the training in the videos. During an introductory session in the first week of the course, you will be given an overview of the programme and have the chance to get to know the other participants. Any questions that arise during the course will be answered via an online Q&A tool.
You will receive your access details for the learning hub two to three working days in advance. You can access the DGNB Learning Hub with a standard internet browser. No download is required. Optionally, you can use the associated app to learn on the move.
Get to know the DGNB Learning Hub via our free demo course (in German).
Online: This course has been submitted to the Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) – the German Energy Agency – and the Baden-Württemberg Chamber of Architects for recognition as continuing professional development (CPD). Submission for recognition by the Chamber of Architects of North Rhine-Westphalia is possible upon request up to two weeks before the start of the training.
On-demand: This course has been submitted to the Chamber of Architects North Rhine-Westphalia for recognition as continuing education and training.
Your contacts
If you have any organisational questions about the training, please reach out to Maria Tobulidou. Isabella Großmann will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the exam
For feedback or suggestions on the training content, Maya Werner will be happy to hear from you.