The sustainability certification of buildings is the result of a virtuous process
that combines design, construction and management of real estate assets.
But what exactly is meant by sustainable construction?
LEED®
LEED® – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a voluntary rating system that measures the sustainability level of buildings. It is one of the most diffuse rating system internationally and in Europe. Developed since 1993 by US Green Building Council (USGBC®), it is a structured scheme for the implementation of measurable environmental strategies during the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings.
WELLTM
WELLTM is the first public benefit corporation that is leading the movement to promote health and wellness in buildings and communities everywhere.
WELL Certified™ spaces can help create buildings that improve the nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns, productivity and performance of its occupants.
WELLTM is composed of over 100 features that are applied to each building project. WELLTM is the leading tool for advancing health and well-being in buildings globally.
More about WELL v2 | More about WELL Health-Safety | More about WELL Performance Rating
BREEAM®
BREEAM® is a sustainability assessment method, launched in 1988 by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). BREEAM is one of the longest-lasting established method of assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability of buildings. BREEAM assessment evaluates the procurement, design, construction and operation of a development against a range of targets based on performance benchmarks. Through a scorecard system, BREEAM® assess the environmental, social and economic sustainability performance of the whole building’s life cycle.
Living Building ChallengeTM
Living Building ChallengeTM is the most advanced sustainable standard in the world. It is a philosophy, an advocacy tool and a certification program that addresses development at all scales. The Living Building ChallengeTM protocol is composed by twenty Imperatives organized into seven categories called “Petals”. The goal is to bring any kind of project – Buildings for the construction of new buildings, Renovations for big renovations, Landscape and Infrastructure for parks and infrastructures, Neighborhood specific to neighbourhoods, campuses, districts or villages – to be totally regenerative with a positive impact inside the place in which it is located.
Fitwel®
Fitwel® is a cost-effective, high-impact building certification standard that optimizes building occupant health and productivity through targeted improvements to workplace design and policies. Fitwel® has a vision for a healthier future where every building is enhanced to support the wellbeing of its occupants and surrounding communities. It is based on the idea that all office facilities can be improved through specific, incremental changes into healthier places to work, regardless of their size, age, and location. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General Services Administration (GSA) led the development of Fitwel®, garnering input and reviewing over 3,000 scientific studies. The Center for Active Design (CfAD) is the operator of Fitwel®, leading its widespread adoption and future development.
WiredScore
WiredScore certification recognizes and promotes best-in-class digitally connected buildings across the globe. WiredScore certification helps landlords and developers lease their building(s) faster and for less void space by leveraging the great digital connectivity in their buildings. Available for homes and offices, the certification provides landlords and developers with valuable guidance on how to design a best-in-class digitally connected and future-ready building, and how to promote it to prospective occupiers and residents.
SmartScore
SmartScore certification recognizes and promotes technologically advanced smart buildings globally. The global standard for smart buildings, SmartScore certification helps landlords and developers build cutting-edge smart buildings that deliver exceptional user experiences, drive cost efficiency, meet high standards of sustainability, and are fully future-ready. If the building meets our strict criteria for reliable, secure, and future-ready in-building technology, they are awarded one of our four SmartScore certification levels to reflect its excellence.
GRESB
The GRESB (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) rating certifies the sustainability performance of real estate portfolios based on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) criteria. Companies can thus report and communicate their ESG-based sustainability performance to investors against an international benchmark of data.
More on GRESB
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) introduces more detailed transparency obligations regarding the environment, human rights and social standards: the directive obliges large companies in the European Union to regularly disclose data on their environmental and social impacts and the sustainability risks they face. Macro Design Studio, working in synergy with companies, monitoring processes, strategic and sustainability objectives, and assessing strengths and weaknesses, can support companies on this path, so that the directive becomes a real and concrete opportunity for development.
JustSM
JUSTSM marks the beginning of a new era of corporate transparency. The Institute invites organizations everywhere to evaluate themselves through this social justice and equity lens and become a JUST organization. The JUSTSM program is a voluntary disclosure tool for organizations. JUST is a nutrition label for socially just and equitable organizations. This approach requires reporting on a range of organization–and employee-related indicators. Each of the indicator metrics asks for simple yet specific and measurable accountabilities in order for the organization to be recognized at a One, Two, or Three Star Level, which is then summarized elegantly on a label. Organizations can use the label on their website or marketing to demonstrate their commitments to these issues. The Institute also transparently posts the detailed information in our publicly viewable database.
