BREEAM and LEED are the world’s leading sustainable certification systems and the gold standard in Spain for many years.
Both rating systems seek to ensure that buildings and cities are responsibly designed, built and managed.
Both bodies concur that Madrid Nuevo Norte is a major opportunity to do things differently. Indeed, this project can be a model for the rest of Europe.
All active economic sectors already take into account respect for the environment and climate change. The cities and buildings where we live and work will play a key role in this regard. Throughout the decades, the design, construction and management of buildings and urban environments have been internationally certified by two main certification systems. We spoke with two managers from LEED and BREEAM, the undisputed gold standard in sustainable construction.
“Spain is on the verge of major change”, claims Javier Torralba, managing director of BREEAM Spain. He also added, “People thought sustainable construction was some fad, but it is here to stay”. Nonetheless, he admits, “This requires intensified advocacy work”.
Torralba points out that the more environmentally-friendly buildings bring significant environmental, economic and health benefits. Indeed, under normal circumstances, we spend over 80% of our lives inside buildings, whether at home or in offices.
The BREEAM certification method measures the impact in ten categories. The numerical score given to a range of values, including energy, transport, construction materials and well-being, serves as a benchmark for sustainable construction and management of buildings.
BREEAM ratings range from “Pass”, “Good”, “Very Good”, “Excellent” to “Outstanding”. However, newly constructed buildings rated as “outstanding” are usually experimental in nature and serve as a testing ground for larger scale experiences.
To date, there are 895 BREEAM projects in our country, 326 of which are in Madrid. Over half are office buildings, the main focus of our certification service in the capital, followed by residential blocks; currently 70”, says Torralba.