Case studies

Real building projects, assessed using the new Healthy Buildings Barometer framework.

Healthy buildings in practice

EU data highlights

Using the framework, we assessed a number of building projects throughout the EU. The results showed that healthy buildings can be financially sustainable investments, improve people’s health and reduce the environmental footprint.

Low renovation rate and limited investment

0.2% average annual deep renovation rate in 2019 vs. 3% recommended annual renovation rate. A boost of 1400% is required.

Accumulated investments in renovations in 2020 were 40% lower than required to reach the EU goal.

Indoor air quality is low

1 out of 4 Europeans live in buildings where indoor air quality falls below national standards.

CO2 emissions are high

CO₂ emissions reductions in buildings are not on track. In 2020, they were 18% higher than where they should be to reach the EU climate goals.

Daylight in homes is insufficient

According to EU-SILC 2020 data, more than 30 million citizens are affected by their dwelling being too dark.

The framework can be used to support stakeholders in the early stages of the project to guide decision making. If the data is made available, the framework can be used again upon completion of the project to assess the health of the final building.

For all building types and geographies

The best practice cases demonstrate how the Healthy Buildings vision, with the five dimensions and indicators, can be applied to all building projects – both new builds and renovations. To effectively represent many different types of European buildings, the case studies in this report include public, commercial and residential buildings.

Explore all case studies

Belgium

Detached single-family home

Explore how a social housing residence in Belgium incorporates many thermal comfort features that keep the home cool in summer and warm in winter.

DENMARK

Langebjerg school

The Langebjerg School embarked on a renovation with roof windows to improve their dark, stuffy classrooms.

DENMARK

Living Places prototype

Living Places shows that it is possible to build with a reduced carbon footprint in a way that is still affordable.

FRANCE

Malakoff raise-the-roof apartments

See how a two-apartment rooftop extension to an existing apartment building in France achieved great indoor air quality and ventilation, and met the for more living space in dense urban areas

FRANCE

Marcey-les-Grèves school

A renovation of the Marcey-le-Grèves school in France meets the challenge of hotter outdoor temperatures by introducing solar window shading and automatic window ventilation.

GERMANY

Dortmannhof home renovation

A renovation of an old barn house in Germany keeps the aesthetically beautiful architecture for residents and visitors to enjoy.

GERMANY

Hammelburg music academy

This project renovated a historical building with a view to maintaining the historical features while adding comfort and reducing energy consumption.

NETHERLANDS

Venlo city hall

The city hall is built with a focus on using indoor plants, blue and green inside and outdoor spaces, natural building materials, and renewable energy.

NETHERLANDS

Nijverdal social housing apartments

This newly built social housing apartment block aims to create sustainable, affordable, and comfortable housing using off-site construction and circular materials

SLOVAKIA

Sala single-family home

A family home in Slovakia is designed to improve air quality and ensure thermal comfort – while reducing energy bills.

SPAIN

Valladolid market

Learn about how a historic market hall in Spain was renovated to include both a geothermal heating system as well as an on-site waste management system.

SWEDEN

Kvartetten office complex

The building is designed to withstand Sweden’s cold winter temperatures while using bio-climatic and biophilic design principles.