For over 80 years, VELUX has been committed to promoting healthy living under the roof by bringing daylight and fresh air into homes. At the same time, VELUX is dedicated to sustainable design, construction, and use of buildings. A prime example of this commitment is the innovative Living Places project in Copenhagen, which demonstrates how more sustainable buildings can be constructed with a drastically reduced carbon footprint while also providing a healthy indoor climate.
The Living Places project, developed by VELUX in collaboration with EFFEKT architects and Artelia engineers and inaugurated in 2023, shows how homes with a significantly lower carbon footprint – three times lower than the Danish building standard – can be built using materials available today. These homes enhance well-being through improved indoor air quality and meet the requirements of Class 1, the highest standard of the Active House indoor climate classification.
The Construction Industry and Its Role in Climate Protection
The construction industry accounts for approximately 34% of global energy consumption and 37% of worldwide CO2 emissions. According to the UN Climate Panel, the sector urgently needs to contribute to climate protection. With the Living Places building project in Copenhagen, VELUX aims to lead by example and present a solution for reducing a building’s carbon emissions to just 3.8 kg CO2 per m² per year – three times less than conventional buildings.
Further information on the benefits of sustainable building envelopes and the role of flat glass in climate protection can be found here.
