Game-Changing Sustainable Homes with Unprecedented Low Carbon Footprint

In collaboration with its partners, VELUX Group has unveiled Living Places Copenhagen, an innovative project featuring seven prototypes that demonstrate how sustainable buildings with a record-low carbon footprint and exceptional indoor climate can be constructed. Living Places Copenhagen has the lowest CO2 emissions in Denmark and serves as proof that we don't need to wait for future technologies to build sustainably.

The building industry contributes 34% of global energy consumption and 37% of global CO2 emissions. The latest UN climate panel report emphasizes the need for low-carbon solutions in the building industry. VELUX Group's groundbreaking project showcases homes with a CO2 footprint of 3.8 kg/CO2/m2/year, three times lower than Denmark's current legislation of 12 kg CO2/m2/year. Moreover, these homes are priced at a level comparable to the market price for one-family houses or rowhouses.

Living Places Copenhagen prioritizes creating a healthy indoor climate using daylight and fresh air, delivering best-in-class indoor environment standards. Tina Mayn, Executive Vice President for Products at the VELUX Group, expressed her pride in the project, emphasizing the importance of building sustainable, healthy homes that address climate challenges and improve people's well-being.

Living Places Copenhagen is the first prototype of the Living Places concept, initiated by VELUX Group, EFFEKT, and Artelia. The vision is to lead the building industry by demonstrating how rethinking buildings can help address global climate and health challenges. The concept is based on five key principles: homes should be healthy, affordable, simple, shared over time, and scalable. These principles can be applied to new or existing buildings and communities.

A complete Life Cycle Assessment was conducted as part of the Living Places Copenhagen project, involving the VELUX Group, EFFEKT, Artelia, and Enemærke & Petersen. Each material, design, and building technique was carefully evaluated and compared to a typical Danish household's projected emissions. This approach shows that we don't have to wait for future technology to build homes that benefit people and the planet.

Living Places Copenhagen features seven prototypes, including five open pavilions and two completed full-scale homes, which will be open to the public on Earth Day, April 22nd. As an official partner of the UIA World Congress of Architects in Copenhagen, Living Places Copenhagen will host a series of debates and activities to drive and accelerate change in the building industry.

At Compendia, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable practices, supporting independent businesses, and emerging talent. We commend the VELUX Group and its partners for their innovation in sustainable housing with the Living Places Copenhagen project. As we explore the world and make a positive impact, we look forward to seeing more groundbreaking projects like this that champion sustainable living and contribute to a greener future.