Process optimization on ambitious sustainability goals through the framework of DGNB

The need for designing buildings with a sustainable approach is higher than ever before, but using building sustainability assessment tools, such as DGNB, is a comprehensive and complex activity. This has led to attempts to optimize the tangibility for usage of sustainability assessment tools in the design process. A holistic qualitative approach is used in this paper with the aim of mapping the structure of DGNB Office Building finding and prioritizing topics to address during a design process. Four experts from the Danish building sector were interviewed and their responses analyzed through the use of Grounded Theory. The findings expose that the project brief must define a healthy framework for both collaboration and projectmanagement, and a specific two-step approach to obtain the certification goal should be performed. The size of the criteria determined how it should be addressed in the project. DGNB was also found to have an impact on the architectural quality leading to certain architectural traits. An important finding was that it is paramount that all stakeholders take an integrated holistic approach when applying DGNB.