How certificates transform the construction
Are the labels and certificates circulating in Switzerland in line with environmental megatrends? Will tried-and-tested quality seals still be valid in certain areas in the future? Digitalisation has long since reached the building sector: life cycle considerations of objects and building materials, but also uniform standards are gaining in importance.
Digital networking will shape the future design of certificates, according to an assessment by A+W (Amstein + Walthert, "Z. b. Issue 77"). While today concepts and models of energy and building processes are mostly elaborated in a linear way, in the future a digital, continuous data and information management system could inform about the life cycle phases of building elements.
Already today, agencies such as pom+ are highlighting a significant increase in professional positions in the areas of construction, facility and IoT management. In view of the digital transformation, the role of a standards specialist could also be redefined through cross-sectional functions. Building development then means not only taking energy concepts and processes into account, but also integrated risk management or "corporate citizenship".
At present, entrepreneurial commitment and strategies are very much in demand in the public sphere. Accordingly, the importance of labels and certificates (see overview in the 2nd column) in the construction industry is likely to become more fundamental.
Leading building certificates
In the meantime, original recommendations such as SIA 112/1 (Sustainable Building Construction), energy guidelines such as Minergie (-P/-A), Minergie-Eco (-P/-A), the SNBS (Standard Nachhaltiges Bauen
Switzerland, the SGNI (Swiss Society for Sustainable Real Estate). The labels "2000-Watt-Areal" and "Energiestadt" are now also well accepted, even if they are not aimed at individual buildings. The GI (Good Indoor Climate) label has also been around for over ten years, but international certificates such as LEED are also becoming increasingly important in this country.
