Designing an apartment building with an MPG < 0.5

Abstract

In the past the main focus within the world of real estate was on energy performance; a lot of high quality insulation, many solar panels and a super heat pump make sure the BENG-requirements are met. However since we are achieving the BENG more and more easily nowadays, another aspect is becoming increasingly important: the environmental performance. From 2025 residential buildings have to meet an MPG-value of 0.5 €/m2.year, which is expected to be definitely doable for most of them, except for apartment buildings. In the near future the designs of apartment buildings need to be adjusted to decrease the environmental effects caused by the materials during their whole lifecycle. This contains the replacement of familiar traditional materials like concrete for innovative biobased materials for example. Besides, these materials should no longer be demolished after 75 years, but be constructed demountable to make sure they can have a second life. Furthermore form factors will play an important role in this process; lower floor heights, bigger GFA’s and more efficiently shaped footprints are needed to receive the required environmental permit in the future. This report is about the feasibility of apartment buildings meeting an MPG-value of 0.5 €/m2.year and the consequences that go with the improvement strategies that are needed.