The Senior Citizen's House in Kalbach, realized by Unihouse SA on behalf of the Carestone Group GmbH, has received a prestigious award: the DGNB Gold Certificate 🏅 from the German Sustainable Building Council. This unique award confirms that the investment meets the highest standards of sustainable construction, placing it among the best projects of its kind in the world.

Sustainable Modular Construction in Kalbach

DGNB Certification - More Than Just Standards

The certification of buildings by the DGNB is a complex and demanding process that involves an assessment based on various criteria, divided into six main areas: environmental performance, economy, functionality, construction processes, technical quality, and socio-cultural aspects. Each of these criteria is evaluated concerning its long-term impact on the environment, the health of the occupants, and the building’s operating costs.

DGNB Analyses a Building from ‘Head to Toe’

The certification system of the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) is founded on six key assessment criteria that consider the entire life cycle of buildings. This holistic approach encompasses not only environmental aspects but also economic, social, and technical factors, making the assessment process extremely comprehensive.

Criteria for Assessing Buildings

The first criterion is ecological quality. This assessment focuses on the building's environmental balance sheet, examining factors such as environmental risks, sourcing methods for building materials, as well as water and energy consumption and waste generation. Through this criterion, the DGNB aims to promote buildings that have the least possible impact on the surrounding environment.

The next criterion, economic quality, involves evaluating the total costs associated with operating a building over its life cycle. The adaptability of the building and its market attractiveness are also important considerations.

Within the scope of socio-cultural and functional quality, various elements are taken into account, such as acoustic and thermal comfort, as well as amenities for residents, like facilities for cyclists. The health and well-being of the users are paramount, directly influencing their quality of life.

Technical and Process Quality

Technical quality encompasses numerous aspects of construction, including fire safety, soundproofing, and the recyclability of materials. The use of environmentally friendly materials, such as recyclable aluminum, is also assessed.

In terms of process quality, project preparation and execution, integrated planning, implementation quality and building commissioning are assessed. The last criterion is the quality of the location, where the availability of utilities and infrastructure, the condition of the surroundings and the communication links to other locations are analysed.

The DGNB specialists give one of the three ratings.

The results of the DGNB certification culminate in the award of one of three levels of certification, which reflect the quality of the building.

• BRONZE certification is awarded to buildings that have achieved 50% compliance, with a minimum of 35% in each category.
• SILVER certificate is awarded to those that have achieved 65% compliance, with a minimum of 50% in each category.
• The GOLD certificate is awarded to buildings that have achieved 80% compliance and 65% in each category.

What distinguishes the Kalbach investment?

The Kalbach Senior Citizens' Home is a building that meets all the requirements for sustainable construction. Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art modular building technology, the project excels from ecological, economic, and social perspectives. Each of the 75 modules has been designed to optimize energy and water consumption while ensuring high thermal and acoustic comfort for residents. The Gold Certificate awarded to the Kalbach development confirms that the building meets the highest sustainability standards. Importantly, DGNB certification is not a one-time achievement; buildings must undergo regular audits to ensure they continue to meet the required standards.

Modular Senior Citizens' Home - An Innovation in Construction

Modular construction represents the future of the construction industry. In the case of the Kalbach Senior Citizens' Home, the use of modules significantly reduced project timelines while maintaining the highest quality standards. Each module was fabricated in the Unihouse factory, which ensures precision workmanship and minimizes construction waste.

Modular construction is also more energy-efficient compared to traditional methods. The modules are better insulated, resulting in lower energy consumption for heating and cooling the buildings. This, combined with the use of modern energy management systems, makes the Kalbach development a model for sustainable construction.

Unihouse S.A. - A Leader in Modular Construction

Unihouse S.A. is a well-established company in the European market, specializing in modular construction. The investments carried out by Unihouse are characterized by their modernity and focus on ecology and user comfort. An example of this is the Senior Citizen's House in Kalbach, which has garnered recognition in the industry, as evidenced by its receipt of the DGNB Gold Certificate.

It is also worth mentioning that last year, this project was awarded the title of ‘Sustainable Development Project 2023’ 💚 by the German Institute for Service Quality, ntv, and DUP UNTERNEHMER-Magazin. This additional accolade confirms that the Kalbach investment is not only a prestigious project but also a role model in the construction industry.

The growing importance of sustainable construction is becoming increasingly evident, and the DGNB certification system emphasizes a comprehensive assessment of buildings, considering their impact on the environment, economy, and user comfort. Projects such as the Senior Citizen's House in Kalbach and the Kaskada Gallery in Szczecin exemplify a modern approach to construction that blends innovation with a focus on sustainability.

Why is Sustainable Construction the Future?

In the face of climate change, sustainable construction is becoming essential. Projects like the Kalbach Senior Citizen's House demonstrate that it is possible to create buildings that are ecological, economical, and resident-friendly. This approach is making modular construction increasingly popular, particularly in Western countries where energy efficiency and environmental regulations are stringent.

Unihouse S.A., with its commitment to sustainable projects, relies on innovative solutions that contribute to the protection of our planet. As a result, the company is gaining growing recognition in European markets, with the DGNB Gold Certificate serving as the best proof of this achievement.