HUF HAUS Sets a New Standard in Sustainable Construction for the UK

As recipients of a Platinum certification from the DGNB for its UK show house – Riverview in Weybridge, Surrey, HUF HAUS has received the highest possible recognition for its commitment to designing and building eco-conscious homes that offer residents the opportunity to live carbon neutral lifestyles. In particular, Riverview was applauded for its innovative and renewable heating and cooling system; its energy fence; its smart home technology, and its ventilations system.

Going forward, every Huf House that leaves the factory in Germany will be credited with a Gold certification; however, a Platinum certification can be sought on a case by case basis through further application to, and assessment by, the DGNB.

Designed to provide an objective evaluation of the sustainability of buildings and urban districts, the DGNB System assesses the quality and attributes of a building over its entire life cycle, from planning through to occupancy, and seeks to reward buildings that optimise the wellbeing of the end user. Developed and refined in Germany, the assessment can be applied internationally and takes into consideration country-specific requirements.

With accreditation both esteemed and sought-after amongst homeowners, housebuilders and developers in Germany, the DGNB has redefined the concept of sustainability in commercial and residential buildings.

The DGNB’s rigorous framework requires each property to be benchmarked against up to 50 criteria, including ecology, economy, socio-cultural, technology, process work flows, and site, and it is the first body in the industry to evaluate economic and ecological merits in equal measure.   

Dr Christine Lemaitre, CEO at the DGNB German Sustainable Building Council, comments:
“HUF HAUS is the first recipient of a DGNB System award in the UK and we couldn’t be happier to formally recognise them for their innovative work in the sustainable building sector. HUF has an innate understanding of sustainability and how that translates into design and architecture, and ultimately the enjoyment that can be derived from living or working in a building. Their approach is helping to establish a ‘new normal’ for the industry, with sustainability no longer a choice that homeowners opt into, because instead it is incorporated into the fabric of each home that HUF HAUS builds.”

Christoph Schmidt, Director, HUF HAUS, comments:
“The DGNB represents a hallmark of quality in the sustainability sphere and, with our long-term commitment to developments in sustainability, it was a long-held ambition for HUF HAUS to secure their accreditation.

“Our values align at every pillar of assessment and we instantly recognised them as a partner who could cross borders with us and disseminate our approach to sustainability on an international scale. While prefabricated construction has had its detractors historically, recognition from the DGNB is helping to reshape perceptions and correct misconception on the intricate detailing that goes into each Huf house, in a format that is digestible for our clients.”

Peter Huf, Chief Architect, HUF HAUS UK, comments:
“Sustainability is at the forefront of our business and a fundamental challenge to the broader industry, but consistency in its assessment has been elusive until now. The DGNB provides a comprehensive framework that evaluates a building’s eco-credentials throughout its life cycle, from design through to construction, completion and beyond – and it celebrates the details. There is an inherent synergy between the standards that the DGNB has set and the sustainability embodied by HUF HAUS – both as a company and with every property that we build – and we are delighted with the recognition from such an esteemed industry body.”