DOMNULE RECTOR,

Încerc să răspund la solicitarea pe care mi-aŃi făcut-o în legătură cu problematica

de ordin ecologic în proiectele de şcoală.

Chestiunea nu este simplă şi nu cred că pot face mai mult acum decât să încerc
să pun în discuŃie câteva elemente.

Criza ecologică este evidentă de câteva decenii, la nivelul resurselor ca şi la

nivelul degradării mediului. Cauzele sunt multiple, dar este limpede că arhitectura
reprezintă o componentă importantă. Utilizarea construcŃiilor consumă în lumea
dezvoltată aproape tot atâta energie din surse convenŃionale cât industriile şi
transporturile la un loc, după unele date statistice.

Reglementările ce vizează reducerea consumurilor din surse neregenerabile şi

mai ales controlul emisiilor nocive sunt din ce în ce mai severe. La noi acest
domeniu este abia la început, dar va trebui să evolueze pentru a se alinia la
normele europene. StudenŃii nostri vor lucra într-un context de exigenŃă şi
responsabilitate profesională pentru care este bine să fie pregătiŃi.

Vă propun o privire asupra unor sisteme de evaluare a performanŃei ecolgice a

produsului de arhitectură, şi implicit a concepŃiei. Unele dintre cele mai
prestigioase şi recunoscute sunt LEED în SUA, BREEAM în Marea Britanie,
HQE în FranŃa, DGNB în Germania (este greu de limitat această enumerare, dar
mă voi opri aici). Mă gândesc că studenŃii noştri pot Ńine seama, sub îndrumare,
de aceste criterii, care vor fi cu siguranŃă mult mai exigente în viitor. În funcŃie de
anul de studiu şi de particularităŃile fiecărui proiect în parte, criteriile pot fi
prezentate studenŃilor la diferite nivele de complexitate şi exigenŃă.

Aceste sisteme de evaluare vizează SCOPUL, adică PERFORMANłA

ENERGETICĂ ŞI AMBIENTALĂ. MIJLOACELE prin care se poate atinge
scopul, în mod concret CRITERIILE DE CONCEPłIE PROFESIONALĂ (DE
ARHITECTURĂ), reprezintă latura complementară, de care trebuie să ne
ocupăm separat.

Simplificând, criteriile pot fi: adaptarea climatică, integrarea în sit, conformarea

volumetrică, orientarea cardinală, conformarea anvelopantei, controlul solar
selectiv, calitatea ambianŃei higrotermice, de calitate a aerului şi control al
noxelor, de lumină şi acustică, utilizarea surselor curate de energie şi integrarea
echipamentelor specifice.

Cred că aceste criterii pot fi aplicate în dozaj echilibrat şi diferenŃiat la toate

proiectele din şcoală, pentru că nu există arhitectură ecologică pe de o parte
şi arhitectură pur şi simplu pe de altă parte. Orice produs de arhitectură
trebuie să aibă cel puŃin calităŃile ecologice reglementate, pentru a putea fi
realizat. Această este valabilă şi pentru operaŃiile de reabilitare a clădirilor

1
existente, operaŃii ce reprezintă mai mult de jumătate din volumul de investiŃii în
imobiliar în multe din Ńările dezvoltate.

Este necesară o analiză a produsului de arhitectură în cele trei secvenŃe de

existenŃă, pre-utilizare, utilizare şi post- utilizare. Se analizează resursele,
prelucrările necesare, materialele, componentele, operaŃiile inclusiv transporturile
(resursele înglobate) pe de o parte, resursele consumate în exploatare pe de altă
parte, impactul ambiental la toate nivelele, reintegrarea în mediu a
componentelor după încheierea duratei de utilizare.

Ecologia este la modă, e adevărat, dar sir Norman Foster a spus că arhitectura
ecologică nu este o chestiune de modă, ci de supraviŃuire, şi putem să-l luăm în
serios pe sir Norman.

Arhitectura a fost ecologică din cele mai vechi timpuri şi până în epoca
industrială, când sursele de energie convenŃională au devenit periculos de
abundente şi ieftine. Acum, arhitectura trebuie să-şi recapete aceasă calitate, pe
un nou palier, ca să-şi poată continua povestea.

Dezvoltarea industriilor şi aparenta abundenŃă de resurse au făcut ca omenirea

să se manifeste precum ucenicul vrăjitor, care a dezlănŃuit forŃe pe care nu le-a
mai putut controla. Oare o să apară, ca în poveste, vrăjitorul cel bun care să
repună lumea în ordine? Oare noi, arhitecŃii, vom putea avea un rol pozitiv în
sensul ăsta, ca să ne putem salva prestigiul breslei şi chiar existenŃa profesiunii,
într-un context în care se vorbeşte despre arhitectură responsabilă ca despre
ceva ce ce ar trebui să existe? Ştim că sunt întrebări ce se pun din ce în ce mai
insistent, de pildă la congresul UIA din 2008 de la Torino.

Sunt convins că arhitectura ecologică trebuie să-şi păstreze toate calităŃile

plastice, funcŃionale şi aşa mai departe (utilitate, soliditate, frumuseŃe...), pentru a
fi valabilă. Calitatea ecologică nu poate fi o scuză pentru rabat la calitatea de
ansamblu.

StudenŃii noştri au manifestat deja de câŃiva ani buni interes şi capacitate de

performanŃă în această direcŃie. Premiile la concursul ISOVER şi participarea la
expoziŃia de la Istanbul sunt doar câteva din punctele marcate deja.

În anul 4 sem.1 (7), la cursul de FIZICA CONSTRUCłIILOR partea 1, se

studiază controlul ambiental şi elemente concrete de ecologie arhitecturală.
După absolvirea acestui curs s-ar putea face proiecte cu abordare ecologică mai
concretă.

Există de mai bine de zece ani cursul opŃional de ECO-TEHNOLOGIE

ARHITECTURALĂ, acum deschis pentru toti studenŃii de la anul 3 în sus. Acest
curs are o audienŃă foarte bună şi rezultate interesante. Am avut invitaŃi care au
Ńinut prelegeri tematice, cu toate că nu a fost posibil să oficializăm contribuŃia lor

2
(de exemplu Stefan Mănciulescu, Architecte en Chef des Monuments Hitoriques,
din FranŃa).

De câŃiva ani avem proiectul opŃional de ECO-TEHNOLOGIE ARHITECTURALĂ,

în anul 5 sem. 2 (10). Este un proiect de tehnologie în cadrul căruia studenŃii au
ocazia să abordeze chestiuni concrete de concepŃie avansată la nivel de proiect
de execuŃie. Mai multe lucrări elaborate în cadrul acestui program au participat la
expoziŃii şi au luat premii internaŃionale.

Am avut în ultimii ani lucrări de disertaŃie pentru licenŃă şi proiecte de diplomă cu

abordare ecologică şi cu calităŃi certe şi recunoscute.

Mai amintesc ciclul de master de DEZVOLTARE DURABILĂ, coordonat de

colega prof. dr. arh. Cristina OCHINCIUC.

Aceste componente deja existente în programul UAUIM, împreună cu altele cu

care poate că nu sunt la curent dar care sigur ma există, reprezintă, cred, o
platformă valabilă şi probată, de pe care domeniul se poate dezvolta firesc. Eu
pot încerca, împreună cu colegii de la atelier care vor dori, să ajut la
concretizarea unor criterii şi elemente de temă.

În continuare, am adăugat câteva date sintetice despre sistemele de evaluare

despre care am pomenit la început.

Cu întreaga consideraŃie,

Mihai Opreanu

16,02,2009

3
LEED - Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design

7 World Trade Center, considered New York City's first "green" office tower by gaining
gold status in the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program.[1]

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating
System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of
standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Since its inception in 1998,
LEED has grown to encompass more than 14,000 projects in 50 US States and 30
countries covering 1.062 billion square feet (99 km²) of development area.[2][citation needed]
The hallmark of LEED is that it is an open and transparent process where the technical
criteria proposed by the LEED committees are publicly reviewed for approval by the
more than 10,000 membership organizations that currently constitute the USGBC.

Individuals recognized for their knowledge of the LEED rating system are permitted to
use the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) acronym after their name, indicating they
have passed the accreditation exam given by the Green Building Certification Institute (a
3rd party organization that handles accreditation for the USGBC).

Contents
• 1 History
• 2 Benefits and disadvantages
• 3 Incentive Programs
• 4 Certification
o 4.1 Point rating
o 4.2 Process
o 4.3 Directory of LEED-certified projects
• 5 LEED versions

4
 • 6 LEED and carbon trading
• 7 Professional accreditation
• 8 International initiatives
• 9 See also
• 10 Notes
• 11 References
• 12 External links
o 12.1 Other national rating systems

History
LEED began its development in 1994 spearheaded by Natural Resources Defense
Council (NRDC) senior scientist Robert K. Watson who, as founding chairman of the
LEED Steering Committee until 2006, led a broad-based consensus process which
included non-profit organizations, government agencies, architects, engineers,
developers, builders, product manufacturers and other industry leaders. Early LEED
committee members also included USGBC co-founder Mike Italiano, architects Bill Reed
and Sandy Mendler, builder Gerard Heiber and engineer Richard Bourne. As interest in
LEED grew, in 1996, engineers Tom Paladino and Lynn Barker co-chaired the newly
formed LEED technical committee.

From 1994 to 2006, LEED grew from one standard for new construction to a
comprehensive system of six interrelated standards covering all aspects of the
development and construction process. LEED also has grown from six volunteers on one
committee to more than 200 volunteers on nearly 20 committees and nearly 150
professional staff.

LEED was created to accomplish the following:

• Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement

• Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
• Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
• Stimulate green competition
• Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
• Transform the building market

Green Building Council members, representing every sector of the building industry,
developed and continue to refine LEED. The rating system addresses six major areas:

• Sustainable sites
• Water efficiency
• Energy and atmosphere
• Materials and resources
• Indoor environmental quality
• Innovation and design process

5
Benefits and disadvantages
LEED certified buildings use key resources more efficiently when compared to
conventional buildings which are simply built to code. LEED certified buildings have
healthier work and living environments, which contributes to higher productivity and
improved employee health and comfort. The USGBC has also compiled a long list of
benefits of implementing a LEED strategy which ranges from improving air and water
quality to reducing solid waste, benefitting owners, occupiers, and society as a
whole.[citations needed]

Often when LEED certification is pursued, this will increase the cost of initial design and
construction, for several reasons. One reason is that sustainable construction principles
may not be well understood by the design professionals undertaking the project. This
could require time to be spent on research. Some of the finer points of LEED certification
(especially those which demand a higher-than-orthodox standard of service from the
construction team) could possibly lead to misunderstandings between the design team,
construction team, and client, which could result in delays. Also, there may be a lack of
abundant availability of manufactured building components which meet LEED standards.
Pursuing LEED certification for a project is an added cost in itself as well. This added
cost comes in the form of USGBC correspondence, LEED design-aide consultants, and
the hiring of the required Commissioning Authority (CxA) - all of which would not
necessarily be included in an environmentally responsible project unless it were also
seeking LEED certification.[citations needed]

However, these higher initial costs can be effectively mitigated by the savings incurred
over time due to the lower-than-industry-standard operational costs which are typical of a
LEED certified building. Additional economic payback may come in the form of
employee productivity gains incurred as a result of working in a healthier environment.
Studies have suggested that an initial up front investment of 2% extra will yield over ten
times the initial investment over the life cycle of the building.[3] However numerous
green projects are being designed and built without seeking LEED certification, and
instead utilizing the funds for sustainable features rather than a certification. The U.S.
Navy is one example of an organization seeking a better building but not wishing to pay
for the USGBC registration or additional cost for 3rd party commissioning.

Although the deployment of the LEED standard has raised awareness of green building
practices, its scoring system is skewed toward the ongoing use of fossil fuels.[neutrality
disputed]
And, because the criteria is consensus built, there is disagreement over the
recognition and allowing of questionable products such as vinyl siding and trim, which
was heavily lobbied by the vinyl industry. More than half of the available points in the
standard support efficient use of fossil fuels, while only a handful are awarded for the use
of sustainable energy sources. Further, the USGBC has stated support for the 2030
Challenge, an effort that has set a goal of using no fossil fuel green house gas emitting
energy to operate by 2030.[4]

6
In addition to focusing on efficient use of fossil fuels, LEED focuses on the end product.
For example, because leather does not emit VOCs they are deemed healthy for
environments, disregarding the use of extremely harmful chemicals in the process of
tanning leather. Other products that do not use harmful chemicals and focus on more
sustainable production do not earn any additional points for their attention to
environmental concerns.

Zero energy building versus green building

The goal of green building and sustainable architecture is to use resources more
efficiently and reduce a building's negative impact on the environment.[23] Zero energy
buildings achieve one key green-building goal of completely or very significantly
reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for the life of the building. Zero
energy buildings may or may not be considered "green" in all areas, such as reducing
waste, using recycled building materials, etc. However, zero energy, or net-zero buildings
do tend to have a much lower ecological impact over the life of the building compared
with other 'green' buildings that require imported energy and/or fossil fuel to be habitable
and meet the needs of occupants.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design developed by the U.S. Green
Building Council, does not require a building to have net zero energy use, only to reduce
energy use a few percentage points below the minimum required. And it is a
measurement tools, not design tools. Inexperienced designers or architects may cherry-
pick points to meet a target certification level, even though those points may not be the
best design choices for a specific building or climate.

Because of the design challenges and sensitivity to a site that are required to efficiently
meet the energy needs of a building and occupants with renewable energy (solar, wind,
geothermal, etc), designers must apply wholistic design principles, and take advantage of
the free naturally occurring assets available, such as passive solar orientation, natural
ventilation, daylighting, thermal mass, and night time cooling.

Incentive Programs
Some states have implemented or are considering plans for incentives for LEED-certified
buildings.

In the state of Nevada construction materials for a qualifying LEED building are exempt
from local taxes. Pieces of construction that are deemed 'inseparable' part such as
concrete or sheetrock qualify.[5]

The state of Michigan is considering tax-based incentives for LEED buildings.[6]

Many local governments have adopted LEED incentive programs. Program incentives
include tax credits, tax breaks, density bonuses, reduced fees, priority or expedited
permitting, free or reduced cost technical assistance, grants and low interest loans.[7][8]

7
Certification
Different LEED versions have varied scoring systems based on a set of required
"prerequisites" and a variety of "credits" in the six major categories listed above. In
LEED v2.2 for new construction and major renovations for commercial buildings there
are 69 possible points and buildings can qualify for four levels of certification:

• Certified - 26-32 points

• Silver - 33-38 points
• Gold - 39-51 points
• Platinum - 52-69 points

Point rating

Points have been distributed as follows. Required "prerequisites" in each category receive
no points.[9][10][11]

Sustainable sites (14 points)

• Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Plan (required)

• Site selection (1 pt)
• Development density and community connectivity (1 pt)
• Brownfield redevelopment (1 pt)
• Alternative transportation availability (3 pts)
o Public transportation access (1 pt)
o Bicycle storage and changing rooms (1 pt)
o Parking capacity and carpooling (1 pt)
• Reduced site disturbance (2 pt)
o Protect or restore open space (1 pt)
o Development footprint (1 pt)
• Stormwater management (2 pts)
o Rate and quantity (1 pt)
o Treatment (1 pt)
• Reduce heat islands (2 pts)
o Roof (1 pt)
o Non-roof (1 pt)
• Light pollution reduction (1 pt)

Water efficiency (5 points)

• Water efficient landscaping (2 pt)

o Reduce by 50% (1 pt)
o No potable use or no irrigation (1 pt)
• Innovative wastewater technologies (1 pt)
• Water use reduction (2 pt)
o (20%) (1 pt)

8
 o (30%) (1 pt)

Energy and atmosphere (17 points)

• Fundamental commissioning (required)

• Minimum (code) energy performance (required)
• Fundamental Refrigerant Management (required)
• Optimize energy performance by 14% (new) or 7% (existing) buildings (2 pts,
required and kind of has become mandatory as of June 26, 2007)

• Energy optimization (8 pts in addition to the 2 required above)

• On-site renewable energy (3 pts)
• Ozone depletion (1 pt)
• Measurement and verification (1 pt)
• Green power (1 pt)

Materials and resources (13 points)

• Storage and collection of recyclables (required)

• Building reuse (3 pts):
o 75% reuse of building structure and shell excluding windows (1 pt)
o 100% reuse of building structure and 50% of walls, floors, ceilings (1 pt)
• Construction waste reuse or recycling (by weight or volume) (2 pts):
o 50% diversion (1 pt)
o 75% diversion (1 pt)
• Reuse of existing materials (by cost) (2 pts)
o 5% salvaged or refurbished materials (1 pt)
o 10% salvaged or refurbished materials (1 pt)
• Recycled content (2 pts)
o Criteria vary in recent versions of LEED, but depend on value of pre- and
post-consumer recycled content (2 pt)
• Use of local materials (2 pts)
o Fabrication shop within 500 miles (800 km) of building site and raw
materials source within 500 miles (800 km) of building site, 10% (1 pt) or
20% (+1 pt).
• Rapidly renewable materials (1 pt)
• Certified Wood (1 pt)

Indoor environmental quality (15 points)

• Minimum indoor air quality (required)

• Environmental tobacco smoke control (required)
• Outdoor air delivery monitoring (1 pt)
• Increased ventilation (1 pt)
• Construction indoor air quality management (2 pt)
• Indoor chemical and pollutant source control (1 pt)

9
 • Controllability of systems (2 pt)
• Thermal comfort (2 pt)
• Daylight and views (2 pt)

Innovation and design process (5 points)

• Points for this category are awarded above and beyond the core 64 points, and are
described as rewarding strategies that go above and beyond the criteria for those
points. Examples for up to four design points using steel construction include
structure as finish, structure as plumbing, lightweight materials, recyclability, and
potential for disassembly.

Process

LEED certification is obtained after submitting an application documenting compliance

with the requirements of the rating system as well as paying registration and certification
fees. Certification is granted solely by the Green Building Council responsible for issuing
the LEED system used on the project.

Recently the application process for new construction certification has been streamlined
electronically, via a set of active PDFs that automates the process of filing the
documentation.

Directory of LEED-certified projects

The Green Building Council provides an online directory[12] of LEED-certified projects.

LEED versions
Different versions of the rating system are available for specific project types:[13]

• LEED for New Construction: New construction and major renovations (the most
commonly applied-for LEED certification)[14]
• LEED for Existing Buildings: Existing buildings seeking LEED certification
• LEED for Commercial Interiors: Commercial interior fitouts by tenants
• LEED for Core and Shell: Core-and-shell projects (total building minus tenant
fitouts)
• LEED for Homes: Homes
• LEED for Neighborhood Development: Neighborhood development
• LEED for Schools: Recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction
of K-12 schools
• LEED for Retail: Consists of two rating systems. One is based on New
Construction and Major Renovations version 2.2. The other track is based on
LEED for Commercial Interiors version 2.0.

10
LEED has evolved since its original inception in 1998 to more accurately represent and
incorporate emerging green building technologies. LEED-NC 1.0 was a pilot version.
These projects helped inform the USGBC of the requirements for such a rating system,
and this knowledge was incorporated into LEED-NC 2.0. The present version of LEED
for new construction is LEED-NC v2.2. LEED also forms the basis for other
sustainability rating systems such as the Environmental Protection Agency's Labs21.

LEED is a measurement tool for green building in the United States and it is developed
and continuously modified by workers in the green building industry, especially in the ten
largest metro areas in the U.S.; however, LEED certified buildings have been slower to
penetrate small and mid-major markets.[15] Also, some criticism suggests that the LEED
rating system is not sensitive and does not vary enough with regard to local
environmental conditions. For instance, a building in Maine would receive the same
credit as a building in Arizona for water conservation, though the principle is more
important in the latter case. And, that green design principles that have no 'product' to
sell, such as passive solar design, have no corporate sponsors with numerous LEED ap
members to lobby thier cause. Another complaint is that its certification costs require
money that could be used to make the building in question even more sustainable. And,
that designers and architects use the LEED points system as a design tool, going for
points to reach a certain level, rather than making the best design choice for a given
project and location. Many critics have noted that compliance and certification costs have
grown faster than staff support from the USGBC.

In 2003, the Canada Green Building Council received permission to create its own
version of LEED based upon LEED-NC 2.0, now called LEED Canada-NC v1.0.[16]

For existing buildings LEED has developed LEED-EB. Recent research has
demonstrated that buildings which can achieve LEED-EB equivalencies can generate a
tremendous ROI. In a recent white paper by the Leonardo Academy comparing LEED-
EB buildings vs. data from BOMA’s Experience Exchange Report 2007 demonstrated
LEED-EB certified buildings achieved superior operating cost savings in 63% of the
buildings surveyed ranging from $4.94 to $15.59 per square foot of floor space, with an
average valuation of $6.68 and a median valuation of $6.07.[17]

In addition the overall cost of LEED-EB implementation and certification ranged from
$0.00 to $6.46 per square foot of floor space, with an average of $2.43 per square foot
demonstrating that implementation is not expensive, especially in comparison to cost
savings. These costs should be significantly reduced if automation and technology are
integrated into the implementation.[18]

LEED and carbon trading

It is expected that LEED-NC 3.0 will include a requirement for a carbon footprint
(carbon building print) and a significant reduction of GHG (green-house gases) beyond a
baseline level. The reduction in carbon dioxide must be measured based on the direct and
indirect carbon dioxide and equivalent reductions. These include emissions related to the

11
consumption of grid delivered electricity, on-site combustion of fossil fuels, and fugitive
refrigerant emissions.

The efforts to quantify emission and reductions in emissions will be in an effort to

monetize the climate change externality in the same way that a Kyoto Clean
Development Project (carbon project) does. ITC Hotel Sonar Bangla Sheraton & Towers
in Kolkata, India is the only green building project in the world to monetize the
reductions that acts as the main precedent for this type of project.

Professional accreditation
Green building professionals can become LEED accredited through the LEED Accredited
Professional Exam. This accreditation enables an individual to facilitate the rating of
buildings with the various LEED systems. There are no requirements for education or
experience in obtaining a LEED accreditation. Professional Accreditation is administered
by the Green Building Certification Institute. GBCI has an education provider program
that provide seminars and lectures to prepare candidates to take and pass the LEED AP
Exam, which focuses primarily on bringing a project through the LEED process, rather
than green building design.

International initiatives
With many countries either having, or being in the process of developing domestic
assessment methods, international exchanges and coordination have being increasingly
evident.

In 1997, for example, the International Organization for Standardization’s Technical

Committee 59 (ISO TC59) - Building Construction resolved to establish an ad hoc group
to investigate the need for standardized tools within the field of sustainable building. This
subsequently evolved and was formalized as Sub- Committee ISO T59/SC17 –
Sustainability in building construction – the scope of which includes the issues that
should be taken into account within building environmental assessment methods.

In Europe, under European Committee for Standardization's TC350 -Sustainability of

Construction Works, a consensus-building process that relates to other standards (ISO)
and harmonizes existing approaches was launched. These standards shall enable the
exchange of sustainability information related to internationally traded products and
services.

The Sustainable Building Alliance (SB Alliance), a non-profit, non-partisan international

network of universities, research centers and technical assessment organizations that is
intended to accelerate the international adoption of Sustainable Building (SB) practices
through the promotion of shared methods of building performance assessment and rating.
The SB Alliance initiative is supported by the UNESCO Chair for sustainable buildings
and the UNEP sustainable building and construction initiative.

12
Other national rating systems

• South Korea: /Greening Building System

• Japan: CASBEE
• Australia: Nabers / Green Star
• Brazil: AQUA / LEED Brasil
• Canada: LEED Canada/ Green Globes
• China: GB Evaluation standard for green building
• Finland: PromisE
• France: HQE
• Germany: DGNB
• Hong Kong: HKBEAM
• India: GRIHA (national green rating)/ LEED India
• Italy: Protocollo Itaca
• Mexico: LEED Mexico
• Netherlands: BREEAM Netherlands
• New Zealand: Green Star NZ
• Portugal: Lider A
• Singapore: Green Mark
• South Africa: Green Star SA
• Spain: VERDE
• United States: LEED/Green Globes
• United Kingdom: BREEAM

13
BREEAM
BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a voluntary measurement
rating for green buildings that was established in the UK by the BRE. Since its inception
it has since grown in scope and geographically, being exported in various guises across
the globe. Its equivalents in other regions include LEED North America and Green Star
in Australia, and HQE in France.

History
BREEAM was established in 1990 as a tool to measure the sustainability of new non-
domestic buildings in the UK [1]. It has been updated regularly in line with UK building
regulations and underwent a significant facelift on 1 August 2008, called BREEAM
2008[2].

Building Types
The standard covers these main building types[3]:

• Retail
• Offices
• Education
• Prisons
• Courts
• Healthcare
• Industrial
• Specialised buildings assessed under the BREEAM Bespoke method

BREEAM 2008
The main changes in the new version of BREEAM are:

• A new two stage assessment process: Design stage and Post Construction
• Introduction of mandatory credits
• A new rating level of BREEAM Outstanding

International growth
The BREEAM standard is now being exported under the responsibility of a division of
the BRE called BREEAM international. The standard is set to be used in regions such as
the Gulf (BREEAM Gulf) and Europe. BRE Global (the organization running the
BREEAM scheme) is a founding member of the Sustainable Building Alliance, a

14
network whose overall objective is to develop common metrics for the key issues and
allow comparisons between the different rating schemes[4].

In order to become a BREEAM International assessor the individual must have attended
one of the assessor training courses. For those interested in BREEAM Gulf the next
training course will be held in Jebel Ali, UAE on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of March.

15
Haute qualité environnementale

La Haute qualité environnementale ou HQE est un concept datant du début des années
1990 qui a donné lieu à la mise en place de cerifications « NF Ouvrage Démarche
HQE® » délivrées par l'Association HQE reconnue d'utilité publique1.

Elle s'adapte à des bâtiments dont la conception, la construction ou la rénovation

correspondent à des normes de la qualité environnementale. Ces certifications continuent
et remplacent le label Haute performance énergétique (HPE) depuis le début des
années 1990. La Haute qualité environnementale a fait l'objet d'un dépôt de marque par
l'Association HQE.

La « Haute Qualité Environnementale » est un ensemble de normes et de prescriptions

qui s'est progressivement établi, dans la continuité du label HPE, entre divers acteurs du
bâtiment, de l'environnement, des services publics de l'énergie comme l'EdF, des maîtres
d'ouvrages et des organismes publics de certification (PUCA, Agence de l'environnement
et de la maîtrise de l'énergie, Centre scientifique et technique du bâtiment, la FFB, et
l'Association HQE). C'est une démarche qualitative qui intègre toutes les activités liées à
la conception, la construction, le fonctionnement et l'entretien d'un bâtiment (logement,
bâtiment public, tertiaire ou industriel). Encore récente et perfectible, elle converge vers
l'intégration dans le bâti des principes du développement durable tels que définis au
Sommet de la terre en juin 1992, et qui pourrait aussi intégrer des paramètres comme la
biodiversité).[réf. nécessaire]

La Haute Qualité Environnementale est choisie en fonction du « coût global »

comprenant le bilan énergétique, les cycles d'entretien et de renouvellement.

Deux principes sous-tendent l'approche HQE :

1. La construction, l'entretien et l'usage de tout bâtiment induisent un impact sur

l'environnement, et donc un coût global, que la HQE tentera de réduire ou
compenser, au-delà de ce que demande la loi (pour au moins 7 cibles sur 14) et en
visant la performance maximale (pour au moins 3 cibles dites "prioritaires").
L'économie d'un projet de construction HQE est donc appréhendée sous l'angle du
coût global ; elle tient compte à la fois de l'investissement et du fonctionnement.
2. Le principe des cibles : Il est lié à la démarche qualité ; la cible est atteinte si dans
le domaine concerné, le niveau relatif de performance est égal à celui du meilleur
projet connu au même moment. Après de longs débats, l'association HQE a admis
que toutes les cibles pouvaient ne pas être traitées en visant le maximum de
performance, ce qui aurait, pour des raisons de coût initial, mis la HQE hors de
portée des petits budgets.

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La démarche peut et doit être adaptée à chaque projet – dès la conception, en étudiant si
possible soigneusement le choix du lieu. Il est nécessaire de travailler avec un
écologue et pourquoi pas avec un sociopsychologue - car la HQE s’intéresse aux
besoins et fonctions du Vivant, s’appuie sur la biodiversité, et doit intégrer les atouts et
contraintes liés au contexte (dont le contexte humain, social..) ; autant d’éléments qui
varient toujours selon le lieu, l’époque et les caractéristiques du projet.

Certains effets de seuils et d'échelle sont plus facilement atteints à l'échelle de quartiers
qui peuvent être urbanisés en suivant ces principes, avec des modalités variant selon
l'échelle d'action considérée (voir la notion d'écoquartier, écovillage, on évoque aussi une
écoville en Chine...).

Acteurs]
En France, la démarche HQE a donné naissance à une marque déposée par l’Association
HQE. 3 organismes contribuent à en structurer la démarche et à en faire la promotion :

• l’Association HQE
• l’ADEME
• le CSTB (et sa nouvelle filiale de certification CERTIVEA

Ces organismes ont mis en place un système de certification visant à la délivrance du

certificat du droit d'usage de la marque "NF Bâtiments Tertiaires - Démarche HQE".
Cette certification s’appuie sur un référentiel technique en 2 volets :

1. le SMO (Système de Management de l’Opération)

2. la QEB (Qualité Environnementale du Bâtiment)

Formations]
La demande de compétence augmente rapidement[réf. nécessaire], et devrait en France être
dopée par les engagements pris à la suite du Grenelle de l'Environnement.

• Des modules de formation commencent à être proposés, en formation initiale

et/ou continue par des écoles d'Architecture, par l'Académie du Développement
Durable et Humain ou encore par l'Internationale des Techniques Avancées.
• L'Ademe a mis en place (3 sessions en 2006) une formation "Sensibilisation à la
démarche HQE, qualité environnementale du cadre de vie bâti".
• L'Internationale des Techniques Avancées Europe, propose plusieurs sessions
"HQE", "Développement durable" et "Qualité environnementale" en urbanisme,
architecture, construction et BE en plusieurs modules et spécialités dispensées par
les experts métiers européens et français ; elles sont dispensées à Paris, Lille,
Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse et Strasbourg (Europe et Environnement)
dans le cadre de la formation professionnelle, sessions pour ARCHITECTES,
Bureaux d'Etudes, et autres acteurs BTP.

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 • Une formation est en préparation avec la CAPEB pour les artisans.
• Il existe une Charte des formations continues à la démarche HQE®
• Des cours de HQE sont donnés dans plusieurs formations d'ingénieurs (Mastère
spécialisé énergies renouvelables de l'ENSAM, Master professionnel de
Construction et d'Aménagement Durable (CAD) de l'IAUL de l'USTL...)
• Formations développement durable et Haute Qualité Environnementale Ponts
Formation Édition, formation continue de l'ENPC
• Formation2 "Développement durable et qualité environnementale en
aménagement du territoire, urbanisme, architecture et construction" en Alsace,
Lorraine (classe 4), Champagne-Ardenne (IFRB), Franche-Comté (AJENA),
Rhônes-Alpes (Europe et Environnement et l'Ordre des Architectes)

Initiée par l'association Europe et Environnement en Alsace, c'est une formation continue
multi-acteurs de 19 jours, visant les acteurs de l'aménagement et de la construction,
agréée par la Direction de l'architecture et du patrimoine, certifiante et encourageant le
développement d'un réseau d'acteurs compétents dans le domaine de la construction de
Qualité Environnementale.

• Le CSTB propose dans son catalogue de formation 2008 16 stages différents, dont
6 sont nouveaux.

Quelques exemples

Lycée Polyvalent Jacquard à Caudry - Norme HQE

• quartier Vauban de Fribourg-en-Brisgau (Allemagne)

• quartier Bedzed à Londres

Parmi environ 600 exemples recensés en France :

• Bâtiments certifiés
o Pôle Administratif « Les Mureaux » (NF380/05/001)
o Tour Granite (quartier de la Défense)
o Tour Mozart (quartier Nord d'Issy-les-Moulineaux)

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 o Centre de formation professionnelle, INERIS (NF380/05/004)
o bâtiment 270 à Aubervilliers (NF380/05/004)
o Lycée Léonard-de-Vinci à Calais (France, Région Nord Pas-de-Calais)
o Lycée Jacquard à Caudry (France, Région Nord Pas-de-Calais)
o Lycée Louis Pasteur à Somain (France, Région Nord Pas-de-Calais)
o Centre d’éducation Nature du Houtland à (Wormhout (France, Région
Nord Pas-de-Calais)
o Lycée Mahatma Gandhi à Saint-André (Île de la Réunion)
o Lycée Saint-Paul IV (Île de la Réunion)
o Lycée Anita Conti à Bruz (France, Région Bretagne)
o Lycée Chevrollier à Angers (France, Pays de la Loire)

Le tout nouveau collège Rosa Parks à Châteauroux(France, Berry,
Indre)

Bilan d'étape pour la région Nord Pas-de-Calais (en

2005)
Dans cette région pionnière, où l'approche HQE a été développée en 1993, environ 150
réalisations ont été faites en 10 ans, en région Nord/Pas-de-Calais, essentiellement en
milieu urbain et périurbain : logements sociaux, établissements scolaires, équipements
publics, bureaux…

- On constate des économies d’énergie et d’eau de 20 à 30 % et une réduction de

50 % des émissions polluantes.
- Le coût supplémentaire initial de 0 à 15 % est rapidement remboursé par les
économies de fonctionnement. On peut maintenant envisager des maisons à
énergie positive (produisant plus d'énergie qu'elles n'en consomment).
- Une sensation de confort et de bien-être est largement exprimée par les usagers.
- De nombreux projets ont traité une ou plusieurs cibles de manière prioritaire, en
fonction du contexte.
- La demande augmente de la part des commanditaires, nécessitant des dispositifs
de formation des artisans (en cours).
- Un projet de quartier HQE à Lille.
- Des outils d'accompagnement ont été créés avec le Conseil Régional, l'ADEME,
la DIREN, les CAUE, l'école d'architecture et de paysage de Villeneuve d'Ascq,
dont un Atlas régional des paysages, le premier à intégrer un volet écologie du
paysage, un atlas éolien régional, des aides à l'installation de panneaux solaires,
un prêt (Isolto) pour encourager l'isolation des toitures, des aides à l'établissement
d'un profil environnemental local destinés à aider les territoires à identifier et
maîtriser leurs ressources naturelles pas, peu, difficilement ou coûteusement
renouvelables, de manière à en tenir compte dans leurs projets d'aménagement,
une Mission Gestion différentiée, une pépinière capable de fournir des plans
génétiquement variés d'espèces locales (Pépinière de Haendries), des atlas et
document d'accompagnement d'une trame verte et bleue (TVB), des plaquettes de
sensibilisation, modules de formation, etc.

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Des premiers bilans, on peut déduire que si d’ici 2010, 100 % des lycées, 70 % des
collèges, 30 % des établissements publics et des logements sociaux et 5 % des bureaux et
des logements privés étaient ainsi construits ou réhabilités suivant une démarche HQE,
on pourrait espérer :

- au moins 30 % d’économie d’énergie dans le résidentiel et le tertiaire

- au moins 16 % d’économie en eau potable
- un potentiel d’emplois de 10 à 15 000 emplois directs et indirects
- la constitution par la qualification des maîtres d’œuvre et entreprises du
bâtiment, d’un pôle de compétences régional

Évolutions, perspectives
Vers des routes HQE ? En France, avec l'assistance du CSTB et d'autres acteurs,
le conseil général du Nord a mis en place en 2005-2006 un groupe de travail sur
ce thème.
Une quinzième cible HQE ? Un début de réflexion existe depuis 2004 avec
notamment la direction Environnement du Conseil régional du Nord-Pas-de-
Calais sur le thème d'une quinzième cible HQE visant une meilleure intégration
de la biodiversité. Cette cible intégrerait aussi et plus largement l'idée de
« remboursement de la dette écologique » (du bâti et de ses habitants ou usagers).
Moins de pollution lumineuse : L'ADEME a mis en place fin 2005 une
formation sur la maîtrise de la demande en électricité, concernant l'éclairage et
intégrant les aspects dits de « "pollution lumineuse" », alors que l'AFE
(Association Française des Éclairagistes) publiait son premier guide sur les
"nuisances lumineuse" ; autant d'éléments qui pourront aider à une meilleure prise
en compte de ces facteurs, en particulier pour l'éclairage extérieur qui prend une
importance croissante.
Vers une certification : Le 1er mai 2006, l’activité de certification des acteurs et
des ouvrages de construction initiée au sein du CSTB est transférée à une
nouvelle société dénommée Certivea qui conçoit, développe, et réalise des
prestations de certification d’acteurs et d’ouvrage de construction

Pistes d'amélioration et de réflexion :

- Choix du lieu d'implantation ;

Ce choix échappe généralement à l'architecte, voire au prescripteur. On peut
regretter que certains sites à vocation HQE soient éloigné des réseaux de transport
en commun, construits en zone inondable ou qu'ils contribuent à fragmenter les
écosystèmes. Comment encourager le maître d'ouvrage à localiser de manière
écologiquement cohérente le bâti et les infrastructures le desservant, en tenant
compte du contexte écologique, paysager, urbain, socioéconomique, et de manière
à minimiser les flux, les distances de déplacement (et la consommation d’énergie
et les sources de pollutions et nuisances y afférant ?… Encourager l'intégration
très en amont de la HQE à l'échelle des Pays, des Agglomérations, par ex dans le
cadre d’un Agenda 21, d’un SCOT (Schéma de COhérence Territoriale en France)

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 est une des pistes développées mi 2007 par le Grenelle de l'environnement
(Atelier 1)
- L’intégration du Vivant (faune et flore)
Il est approché pour des raisons esthétiques, mais il est nécessaire pour des raisons
éthiques et fonctionnelles (voir quinzième cible HQE). Il est trop souvent limité
au végétal. Les équilibres écologiques nécessitent la présence d'une faune
minimale. Les pollinisateurs, les insectivores méritent une attention particulière.
l'éclairage nocturne ne doit pas les perturber, etc. Ils devraient trouver place :

•
o dans le bâti extérieur (enveloppe, cours intérieurs, fondations, surplombs,
etc, dans un esprit proche du concept de maison-nichoir),
o dans certains espaces tampons, pour certaines espèces (type véranda,
jardin d’hiver, dans la mesure du possible planté dans le sol naturel),
o dans certains espaces intérieurs (ex : système d’épuration de l’air, des eaux
usées utilisant les plantes comme Phyt'air, les algues, mais aussi les
bactéries et d’autres organismes aquatiques), avec les précautions et le
suivi qui s'imposent.
o en prévoyant des niches écologiques pour les espèces potentiellement
présentes après que l’environnement se sera amélioré et non pour les
seules espèces présentes au moment de la réalisation de l’état initial ou du
profil environnemental.

Les principes de l'intégration de la biodiversité dans l'environnement humain (structure

bâtie et non bâtie) sont résumés dans l'article biodiversité dans le bâti et le jardin.

- Le développement de fonctions compensatoires et restauratoires.

Ces deux fonctions sont nécessaires à un objectif de « remboursement de la dette

écologique ».

•
o Ceci implique d'inscrire le bâti dans un réseau écologique fonctionnel
(maillage de corridors biologiques à créer, restaurer, préserver, puis gérer
(gestion écologique et restauratoire, et donc différentiée).
o Le bâtiment et ses occupants ne devraient-ils pas produire plus d’oxygène
qu’ils n’en consomment, et rejeter de l’eau et de l’air aussi ou plus propres
que ce qu’ils auront prélevé dans le milieu ? Leurs déchets organiques et
ceux des espaces verts ne devraient-ils pas systématiquement contribuer à
restaurer les écosystèmes (quand cela ne pose pas de problème
sanitaires) ?
o Des niches écologiques compensatoires pourraient tendre à effacer
l’empreinte écologique des aménagements et de leur fonctionnement.
o La mesure de l’empreinte écologique, qui est nécessaire à l'évaluation de
la dette écologique.

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Projets de villes-HQE, dans les monde...

divers projets d'éco-towns ou vastes quartiers HQE ont abouti (« Mountain View »
en Californie, « Hammerdy Sjöstat » en Suède, « New Songdo City » en Corée, ou
encore les Ecotowns anglaises notamment inspirées par le quartier de Bedzed).
Royaume-Uni : le Premier ministre Gordon Brown annoncait lors de son
investiture la création de cinq Ecotowns dans le pays ; de 10.000 à 20.000
habitants chacune, la première étant créée par l’Etat et les suivantes sur initiative
locale. Un appel à projet a suscité près de quarante candidatures de villes
anglaises, ce qui a incité le gouvernement à étendre ce programme à dix écotowns
La France a pris du retard, mais dans la dynamique du Grenelle de
l'environnement, en en 2007, l'idée d'encourager la réhabilitation HQE et de
construire des villes HQE renouvelées sur elles-mêmes a progressé. La
commission Attali a également en 2007 proposé de créer avant 2012 au moins dix
« 'Ecopolis' » ; des villes nouvelles HQE, comprenant 20 % d'espaces verts,
favorables à la biodiversité, et qui abriteraient plus de 50.000 habitants, en
intégrant un haut niveau de NTIC, de l'emploi local et une mixité sociale,
alimentées par de l'éolien et du solaire et jouant le rôle de vitrine et laboratoire en
matière de sobriété énergétique et en eau. Les écopolis restent critiquées par
plusieurs ONG si elles doivent encore contribuer à l'étalement urbain et à
augmenter le réseau routier. Ces dernières souhaitent une réhabilitation HQE de
villes à densifier3.

Un label BHQE (Bateau Haute Qualité énergétique) est à l'étude en Bretagne4.

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