Many people spend a large part of their time in buildings – especially during working hours in offices and administrative buildings. The way we design, construct and operate these buildings not only has a major impact on users themselves, but also on the environment. Therefore, the aim must be to design holistically sustainable and future-proof workspaces that make a positive contribution to a sustainably built environment and at the same time focus on people and their needs. DGNB Certification of offices and administrative buildings can support this as a planning and quality assurance tool. In addition to ecological and economic aspects, the assessment focuses on user comfort in terms of acoustics, thermal and visual aspects, as this has a major influence on the performance and motivation of the employees.
The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings, Version 2018" and "Buildings In Use, Version 2020" apply to offices and administrative buildings. The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Building, Version 2020 International" and "Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International" apply for international projects. Exceptions are projects that have already been pre-certified with a previous market version. These projects may also be registered for the certificate in the same version.
- Contribution to climate action through reduced emissions of greenhouse gases over the entire life cycle
- High comfort
- Increased well-being
- Increased attractiveness for employees
- Increased productivity and performance of employees
- Low vacancy risk
- High building flexibility due to e.g. easier adaptations in case of changes (operating processes; personnel)
- Lower costs for conversions
- Lower operating and maintenance costs
- Advantages when selling real estate
The certificate is aimed at anyone who wants to plan and construct an office or administrative building. These can be project development offices, companies, owner-occupiers or real estate funds. Anyone who wants to purchase such a property or rent it for use can use the DGNB Certificate as independently verified proof of the holistic quality of the building.
- Holistic consideration of all relevant sustainability requirements
- Transparent and independent quality award and assurance during planning, construction and operation
- Transparency with regard to ressource efficency and emissions
- Communication of the project to the public and increase of acceptance
- International applicability and comparability
- Reduced effort for DGNB Certification of Buildings due to the creditability of documentation from district certification
- Basis for sale in sustainable real estate funds
- Certification as an option for sustainable investments
- Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- High value stability
- Higher return on investment
- High degree of future security through reduction of cost-intensive risks
The scheme takes into account the special features of sustainable offices and administrative buildings and, in addition to ecological and economic aspects, places particular emphasis on user comfort, such as increased workplace comfort. Furthermore, the evaluation emphasises a high quality of stay, health and well-being of the users as well as innovative space utilisation concepts (e.g. multiple use of space).
This scheme can be applied to all buildings that are predominantly used for office and administrative purposes. In addition to ecological and economic aspects, a focus of the evaluation, both in acoustic, thermal and visual terms, is on user comfort, as this has a major influence on the performance and motivation of the employees.
Selected DGNB certified projects
Offices and Administriative Buildings
Offices and Administriative Buildings
Available criteria sets in English
Project registration
To register a project, clients must first hire a DGNB Auditor. This auditor can then register the project. Auditors also accompany the entire process and take over the verification and submission to the DGNB. They are active worldwide and specialise in certain schemes.
The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings, Version 2018" and "Buildings In Use, Version 2020" apply to offices and administrative buildings. The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Building, Version 2020 International" and "Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International" apply to international projects.
Your contact
Angelika Bandke
Senior Consultant Serial Certification
- Phone: +49-711-722322-44
- Email: a.bandke@dgnb.de