Goldbeck Sustainability Consulting strategically and operationally supported the DGNB "Buildings in Use" certification for two office properties in the Rheinparkcarree in Monheim am Rhein. The German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) awarded the properties AQA and RIVA the "Gold" rating. These certificates are valid for three years.
The client for this project was VK Immobilien Gruppe. The two properties, completed by Goldbeck in 2013 and 2016, are located on the Rhine promenade and are part of the Rheinparkcarree. They offer flexible office space concepts across more than 11,500 square metres in total, meeting diverse user requirements.
Foundation for sustainable building operation
Goldbeck Facility Services are responsible for the technical and infrastructural facility management of the two Monheim properties. Since the completion of the properties, they have ensured efficient, sustainable, and user-oriented building operation. The presence of their own in-house technicians on site, as well as a 24/7 on-call service, continuously guarantees optimal building use. Additionally, Goldbeck Facility Services assume comprehensive operator responsibility on behalf of VK Immobilien and provide a fire safety officer. These services form a crucial basis for successful DGNB operational certification.
Another factor that simplified the certification process is the DGNB multi-certification "Buildings in Use". Goldbeck Facility Services received this certificate in 2024 as the first facility management service provider in Germany. Through multi-certification, customers are provided with a significantly simplified path to DGNB "Buildings in Use" certification for their individual projects, making the implementation of certification processes for existing properties faster, simpler, and more cost-effective. Nils Lueken, Managing Director of Goldbeck Facility Services GmbH, emphasised that sustainability is determined during ongoing operation, and the certification in Monheim demonstrates the future viability of existing properties through efficient and sustainable building operation.
Transparent support and optimisation measures
Based on the existing multi-certification, Goldbeck Sustainability Consulting supported the VK Immobilien Gruppe in achieving the DGNB "Buildings in Use" certification. The aim was to transparently demonstrate the sustainability of building operations and the future viability of the properties. The DGNB assessed various criteria of ongoing operation, including ecological, economic, functional, and technical aspects.
- —Energy and resource efficiency
- —CO₂ emissions
- —User comfort and mobility options
- —Operational processes and climate risks
- —Technical and economic performance
Goldbeck Sustainability Consulting guided the entire certification process, from determining the status quo and implementing optimisation measures to auditing, evidence collection, and coordination with the independent DGNB certification body. As part of the certification, a climate protection roadmap, a CRREM analysis, and a climate risk analysis were also prepared. Mobility comfort for employees was enhanced by the installation of a bicycle shelter and a service station. Luisa Gockel, Building Sustainability & Energy Consultant at Goldbeck Sustainability Consulting, confirmed that the certification results affirm the future and market viability of the properties and that both buildings are well on their way to climate neutrality.
Michaela Föller, Head of Department at Goldbeck Sustainability Consulting, highlighted that the successful DGNB certification shows that sustainable building operation in existing properties is an achievable goal. Reliable data, sound analyses, and structured processes make sustainable building operation measurable and controllable. The optimal use of synergies from Goldbeck Facility Services' DGNB multi-certification enabled successful client support towards the certification goal. This creates transparency regarding the current sustainability performance of building operations and provides a solid basis for the long-term development of the property.
