Context
The Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG) is a state-owned company in Austria responsible for managing a vast portfolio of properties, including educational buildings, offices and residential spaces. Recognising the environmental impact of the construction sector, BIG prioritises sustainable building practices throughout the real estate life cycle, adhering to the highest social standards and aiming for CO2 neutrality. This commitment aligns with the strategic goals of the Austrian government, particularly the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK).
Objectives
BIG’s groundbreaking holistic building programme (HBP) is a standardised guide for achieving sustainable construction across their projects. Developed through collaboration between BIG employees and external consultants, the HBP functions as a multifaceted tool. It acts as a reference point for BIG’s operational departments to advise clients during the initial planning stages of construction projects. It also establishes a quality assurance system for post-planning phases. The HBP incorporates learnings from BIG’s property analysis alongside leading sustainability certifications for energy-efficient and environmentally sound building practices. Notably, the programme allows for flexibility, enabling BIG to tailor sustainable criteria to specific economic conditions and user needs, with a focus on a building’s long-term economic life cycle.
Implementation
The HBP offers several advantages. By standardising sustainable criteria, the programme simplifies planning, control and optimisation of sustainability measures. This standardisation also reduces costs and improves quality control. An online tool launched in 2020 facilitates project planning and cost estimating. Furthermore, the HBP ensures clear documentation of implemented measures, providing a transparent record of a building’s sustainability. This transparency strengthens BIG’s consulting services in sustainable construction. Importantly, the HBP goes beyond a simple criteria catalogue. It encompasses employee training and a well-defined process structure, ensuring all BIG departments can effectively utilise the programme. The programme has yielded significant results. The mandatory Sustainable Minimum Standard, established by the HBP, surpasses legal requirements and ensures all BIG projects achieve at least the klimaaktiv Silver Standard, a national benchmark for energy and environmental performance. This standard has led to a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions and the elimination of non-sustainable building materials. Looking ahead, the HBP serves as a crucial data source for BIG’s decarbonisation efforts and enables better forecasting of emission reductions. The programme’s success has garnered interest from other organisations, suggesting its potential application in broader administrative sectors.