Final Report Summary - LENSE (Methodology Development towards a Label for Environmental, Social and Economic Buildings)
The LENSE was a European research project that responds to the growing need in Europe for assessing a building's sustainability performance. The project draws on the existing knowledge available in Europe on building assessment methodologies. The main objective of LENSE was to develop a methodology for the assessment of the sustainability performance of existing, new and renovated buildings, which is broadly accepted by the European stakeholders involved in sustainable construction. The importance of the LENSE project lies in its approach to develop a truly holistic methodology that addresses the overall, integrating concept of sustainability. Furthermore, LENSE aimed to develop a Europe-wide accepted assessment methodology, which also allows for regional or national variances and priorities to be incorporated. The key stakeholders on the European and national level were highly involved in the development of the methodology, to guarantee a wide acceptance and implementation of the project results.
The results of the LENSE project are important for all stakeholders involved in sustainable construction:
- Governments can use the methodology for the implementation of subsidiary schemes in order to promote sustainability.
- Architects can use it to communicate about sustainability issues with their clients.
- Project developers have an instrument to determine the sales values of buildings in the context of sustainability. The methodology could also be translated into a sustainability certification for buildings.
- Clients can get reliable information about the sustainability performance of the planned building before purchase or construction.
The project managed to develop a list of issues which was included in the assessment methodology. The list was wide enough to be meaningful for all European members, but limited enough to be practical. A broad consensus on these issues was reached through strategic consultation of the relevant stakeholders.
It developed a methodology for assessment of the overall sustainability of existing buildings, major renovations and plans for new buildings. The methodology took into account the existing methodologies and initiatives and ongoing standardisation activities. Guidelines on how to address local variations were also provided. This work was validated by the development of a prototype tool and tested on case study buildings.
The project also set up a strategic consultation of the stakeholders. In order to ensure a methodology was accepted and used by the stakeholders, these consultations included national meetings with stakeholders and trans-national expert workshops. The consultation and communication activities also raised the stakeholders' awareness about sustainability assessment and the advantages of the LENSE approach. The LENSE project also interacted with standardisation activities at CEN and ISO level to make sure the methodology was in line with the standards in development.
The results of the LENSE project are important for all stakeholders involved in sustainable construction:
- Governments can use the methodology for the implementation of subsidiary schemes in order to promote sustainability.
- Architects can use it to communicate about sustainability issues with their clients.
- Project developers have an instrument to determine the sales values of buildings in the context of sustainability. The methodology could also be translated into a sustainability certification for buildings.
- Clients can get reliable information about the sustainability performance of the planned building before purchase or construction.
The project managed to develop a list of issues which was included in the assessment methodology. The list was wide enough to be meaningful for all European members, but limited enough to be practical. A broad consensus on these issues was reached through strategic consultation of the relevant stakeholders.
It developed a methodology for assessment of the overall sustainability of existing buildings, major renovations and plans for new buildings. The methodology took into account the existing methodologies and initiatives and ongoing standardisation activities. Guidelines on how to address local variations were also provided. This work was validated by the development of a prototype tool and tested on case study buildings.
The project also set up a strategic consultation of the stakeholders. In order to ensure a methodology was accepted and used by the stakeholders, these consultations included national meetings with stakeholders and trans-national expert workshops. The consultation and communication activities also raised the stakeholders' awareness about sustainability assessment and the advantages of the LENSE approach. The LENSE project also interacted with standardisation activities at CEN and ISO level to make sure the methodology was in line with the standards in development.
