The design of our properties takes into account retreats for people and animals and is becoming increasingly "green," not just in the roof areas. The integration of environmentally friendly utility systems, such as photovoltaics and charging stations for electric vehicles, is standard practice. Many projects include nesting boxes for bats or birds, or bee hotels. Where necessary, new habitats are created for protected species, and these species are then introduced to these new environments.
HBB places great importance on environmental protection and strives to make the greatest possible contribution to achieving climate goals. This applies not only to the revitalization process of properties, but also to their operation and overall management. Accordingly, existing properties undergoing a relaunch are assessed for their contribution to climate protection using recognized certifications (e.g., DGNB, BREAM).
In order to obtain an indication of the status of our properties, we became members of initiatives such as ECORE at an early stage in order to have a comparison with other properties of the same type on the market. We are also a member of QUANTREFY, a platform that, on the one hand, allows a comparison to other scoring models besides ECORE (e.g. GRESB), but on the other hand also provides optimization suggestions to improve the score. On this basis, we can optimize our properties from year to year.
In the last three years, HBB's office operations have been largely digitalized. This doesn’t just affect the platforms we are working with. The data management system introduced during this time as well as the internal project management and the digital accounting and accounting system allow for an almost paperless office.
By using digital conference technology, internal and external meetings were freed from unnecessary journeys by car, plane or train, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.
At HBB, it's not just about using CO2-reduced raw materials, but also about reducing emissions associated with construction and the building's subsequent existence. We regularly receive positive feedback from municipalities that the revitalization methods we employ, with regard to dust, noise, and construction site logistics, are currently the exception among projects carried out in their respective cities.
Where feasible, the roofscapes will be extensively greened to improve the microclimate in the vicinity of the property and/or equipped with a photovoltaic system for self-sufficiency in electricity.
HBB aims to guarantee the KfW40 standard for new buildings. This is now almost universally achievable for its senior citizens' homes.
HBB is committed to controlling and optimizing the operating costs of the properties it manages. For existing properties, we work with owners to implement smart meter retrofitting.
Energy consumption is analyzed by our managers and unnecessary load times or energy consumers are eliminated.
The top priority in the company is also to avoid and separate waste.
