World first: Brick-and-concrete multi-residential building earns DGNB Platinum

Danfoss House in Sønderborg has become the world’s first brick-and-concrete multi-residential building to achieve the DGNB Platinum certification

Developed by the Bitten & Mads Clausen Foundation and built by Daugaard Pedersen, the four-storey, 1,950 m² complex contains 14 apartments and serves as both housing for Danfoss’ expat employees and a live test facility for advanced energy technologies.

Features include:

• Centralised and decentralised heating systems for side-by-side performance analysis

• Ten 100-meter-deep geothermal boreholes for efficient heating and cooling

• Floor cooling and diffuse ventilation systems

• Upgrade-ready design with large technical shafts

• Smart home technology for year-round climate optimisation

Sønderborg’s ProjectZero initiative

The project is part of Sønderborg’s ProjectZero initiative to reach net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2029 and marks one of the final elements in Frank Gehry’s master plan to transform the city’s harbor into a sustainable urban district.

Lars Tveen, CEO, Bitten and Mads Clausen Foundation, says: “Dr Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency often refers to Sønderborg the global capital of energy efficiency, because a third of the emissions reductions achieved by ProjectZero to date have come from energy efficiency. But sometimes that’s hard to translate into real world case studies. But with Danfoss House seeing is believing. It shows us more than an idea. It’s proof that we can build energy-efficient, sustainable housing today.”

‘An icon for modern housing construction’

Buildings account for over one-third of global energy use and 40% of CO₂ emissions. Recognised alongside BREEAM, LEED, and HQE, the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) standard evaluates environmental, economic, socio-cultural, functional, technical, and process quality.

There are only around 20 DGNB platinum-certified residential buildings in the world.

Jan Riis Nielsen, CEO, Daugaard Pedersen, says: “Danfoss House is a unique project that differs from traditional residential buildings through its combination of sustainability, architecture and technical innovation. It has been a challenging but rewarding journey with many important choices along the way.

“We believe that Danfoss House now stands as an icon for modern housing construction, which in an exemplary way unites energy-efficient technologies, sustainable principles and a strong architectural identity.”

Danfoss House’s awards:

• Awarded DGNB Heart for focusing on well-being and indoor climate

• Awarded DGNB Diamond for outstanding design and architectural quality

• Named the most successful and beautiful new building in Sønderborg Municipality by City and Environment

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