A new study will document the socio-economic aspects of sustainable buildings

Sustainable buildings are a decisive factor for a more sustainable world – but to what extend can buildings increase quality of life for people, boost productivity at work or reduce health costs for society? A new study will seek to identify, explore and document these effects.
The study will be the first Sustainia Sector Guide developed by Monday Morning, Scandinavia's largest independent think tank and backed, among others, by the VELUX Group as knowledge partner. Sustainia is a community of civil society, businesses and experts working together to develop the concept of a sustainable society, Sustainia, representing best practice, knowledge and technologies that already exist.
A number of examples of potential social gains from sustainable retrofitting and new build-ings have already been identified. At Sustainia's first conference last year, sustainable buildings was the topic of a workshop for international experts hosted by the VELUX Group. The workshop provided input to the discussion about co-benefits and touched on the evidence of avoided health costs (e.g. allergies), improved learning environments in schools and universities, lower long-term building costs, increased productivity in workplaces, environmental benefits and higher quality of life.
The VELUX Group has just completed a series of six experimental buildings in Europe and demonstrated how it is possible to meet the buildings requirements of 2020 with the products available today. Testimonials from people working and living in the six buildings illustrate the positive effects of a good indoor climate with lots of daylight and natural ventilation.
"There is a large body of evidence that suggests the social and economic effect of sustain-able buildings. Our hope is that this new study will take the next step and map the knowledge that we already have. This will enable us to document the potential effects of even more sustainable houses, offices, schools etc in terms of increased liveability, productivity and learning," says Senior Vice President Michael Rasmussen of the VELUX Group.
The Sustainia Sector Guide about Sustainable Buildings will be published in October 2012.
About the VELUX Group
The VELUX Group creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof. The VELUX product programme contains a wide range of roof windows and skylights, along with solutions for flat roofs. The Group also supplies many types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products, products for remote control and thermal solar panels for installation in roofs. The VELUX Group, which has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, represents one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX Group has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. For more details, visit www.velux.com.