Why choose an apartment with BREEAM Excellent standards?

Sustainability – one of the most debated topics right now. Everywhere around us, we hear about the transition to sustainability in all fields of activity, including real estate. But what does this mean for those who want to buy a home?

The most common green certificates for residential buildings are those obtained within a national system, whose main characteristic is an energy performance class A. This implies low energy consumption, which translates into lower utility costs.

In addition to this local certification system, there is an internationally recognized standard: BREEAM. It recognizes the value of the project throughout its entire life cycle, starting from the design and construction phases. It is a very complex process that evaluates energy performance of buildings, to what extent do they offer a healthy environment for residents, innovation, land use, quality of materials used, construction management, pollution (reduction of carbon emissions), transport, water and waste management. Therefore, BREEAM involves buildings constructed with sustainable materials, which offer their occupants a high degree of comfort indoors and outdoors, which withstands time and climate change well, while also protecting the environment and biodiversity from the construction phase.

BREEAM assessment has multiple levels, which increase gradually, depending on the percentage obtained by buildings/projects: Acceptable, Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, and Outstanding. In Romania, this standard is less known, being used more often for retail, logistics, and office buildings, and less for residential ones.

The new development phase in GREENFIELD Băneasa, Teilor neighborhood, is designed and developed to BREEAM Excellent standard.

How is the BREEAM Excellent standard implemented in the apartments at Teilor, GREENFIELD Băneasa?

1. Health and wellbeing

New apartments The GREENFIELD Băneasa homes are designed to offer residents a healthy environment and well-being. The improved ventilation systems of the New GREENFIELD buildings ensure good indoor air quality, and thermal comfort is provided through room temperature control.

Before designing the new buildings, solar access studies were conducted, a mandatory requirement for BREEAM Excellent certification. Why? Studies show that the amount of natural light entering a home can boost learning capacity by up to 26% and increase productivity by 18%. Therefore, the apartments in the New GREENFIELD have been equipped with spacious terraces and large glazed areas, allowing natural light to enter for most of the day, creating optimal conditions for living or even working, for those who will have a home office.

In addition to a healthy indoor environment, the superb view of Băneasa Forest and the well-maintained green spaces in the neighborhood also significantly contribute to the physical and mental health of the residents.

2. Energy performance

The new buildings in GREENFIELD Băneasa benefit from renewable energy. The neighborhood has a Solar park consisting of 1,297 panels, with a total capacity of 700 kWp, which will provide 30% of the energy needed for the buildings in the Teilor neighborhood, including street lighting.

Each building is equipped with an integrated management system with intelligent energy-saving functions, an integrated security system, emergency power generation, smoke/heat detectors, and smart lighting.

To maintain an optimal temperature, buildings have superior thermal insulation made from durable materials. Thus, beyond the thermal comfort provided, residents also benefit from reduced energy consumption.

Overall, these solutions reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.

3. Transportation

Certification in the area of transportation encourages the creation of easy access to sustainable transportation options for all building users.

In GREENFIELD Băneasa, residents have access to electric car charging stations, electric scooters that can be used within the neighborhood, and bicycle racks. To encourage alternative transportation, just a few minutes from the Teilor neighborhood is a STB terminal for line 203, which provides a connection to the city center and the Piața Victoriei metro station, respectively.

Moreover, the GREENFIELD Băneasa neighborhood is developed around the concept of a ”15-minute city,” offering access to Services and facilities within the neighborhood: convenience stores, wellness center (fitness, swimming pools, spa, group classes), beauty salon, restaurants, cafes, shopping center, dry cleaner, car wash, parks, playgrounds. Soon, a modern educational center will be added to these facilities, with Kindergarten and public school, as well as a church. Works for the construction of the state school and the state kindergarten have been started.

4. Ecology and pollution

To reduce environmental impact and create a healthy living environment for residents, New GREENFIELD used sustainable materials with a low carbon footprint and paints with low levels of pollutants.

During construction, rigorous waste management was carried out to avoid impacting the environment. Furthermore, green spaces are being developed in the neighborhood, designed by a landscape architect using acclimatized trees.

In GREENFIELD Băneasa, the sustainable use of water was also addressed. Thus, in the near future, the neighborhood will benefit from geothermal water, with a project underway in this regard.

The Benefits of Living in a BREEAM Excellent Certified Development, in Numbers

• Cost savings: maintenance costs are approximately 13% lower.
• Saving money and conserving resources: reducing energy and water consumption by up to 50% and 39%, respectively.
• A healthy environment for residents and protection of the environment: a reduction of up to 39% in carbon dioxide emissions and up to 70% in waste volume.

Key takeaways

Phase IV of development at GREENFIELD Băneasa is designed to international BREEAM Excellent standards for quality and sustainability.

Living in a BREEAM excellent certified home will bring you lower costs and greater appreciation of the property over time, as sustainable homes are more valuable.

Apartments in GREENFIELD Băneasa built to this standard bring you other valuable long-term benefits: physical and mental health, well-being, and time savings.