Educational buildings

Certify sustainable educational buildings with the DGNB

Whether kindergartens, schools, further education institutions or university buildings: the special features of these buildings must be taken into account in consideration of a holistic sustainable approach. In addition to ecological aspects, it is particularly important to realise a high level of user comfort in terms of acoustics, thermal and visual aspects, as this has a great influence on the students, their motivation and performance. DGNB Certification for educational buildings can support this as a planning and quality assurance tool.

The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings, Version 2018" and "Buildings In Use, Version 2020" apply to educatonal buildings. The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Building, Version 2020 International" and "Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International" apply to international projects. Exceptions are projects that have already been pre-certified with a previous market version. These projects may also be registered for the certificate in the same version.

  • Contribution to climate action through reduced emissions of greenhouse gases over the entire life cycle
  • High comfort
  • Increased attractiveness for employees and students
  • Increased productivity and performance of employees and students
  • Low vacancy risk
  • High building flexibility due to e.g. easier adaptations in case of changes (operating processes; personnel)
  • Lower costs for conversions
  • Lower operating and maintenance costs

The certificate is aimed at anyone who wants to plan and construct an educational building. These can be public and denominational institutions or sponsors, private sponsors or investors.

  • Holistic consideration of all relevant sustainability requirements
  • Transparent and independent quality award and assurance during planning, construction and operation
  • Transparency with regard to ressource efficency and emissions
  • Communication of the project to the public and increase of acceptance
  • Reduced effort for DGNB Certification of Buildings due to the creditability of documentation from district certification
  • Basis for sale in sustainable real estate funds
  • Certification as an option for sustainable investments
  • Contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • High value stability
  • High degree of future security through reduction of cost-intensive risks

The scheme takes into account the special features of sustainable educational buildings and, in addition to ecological aspects, places particular emphasis on user comfort in acoustic, thermal and visual terms, as this has a major influence on students and their motivation and performance.

The scheme is specifically designed for educational buildings. This includes all buildings that provide premises for education, further education and training. This includes kindergartens, schools, further education institutions as well as university buildings and their rooms that are mainly used for seminars, lectures or as classrooms. The modular evaluation also includes the assessment of ancillary uses such as offices, kitchens, refectories, libraries or sports rooms, but not separate buildings such as sports halls, libraries or canteens.

Selected DGNB certified projects

Akademie der GIZ am Campus Kottenforst
Akademie der GIZ am Campus Kottenforst, Röttgen (Bonn)
Buildings New Construction
Educational Buildings
Kindertagesstätte Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg
Kindertagesstätte Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, Hamburg
Buildings New Construction
Educational Buildings

Available criteria sets in English

Document|pdf|English|14 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2018

Document|pdf|English|4 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Buildings In Use, Version 2020

Document|pdf|English|15 MB

DGNB Criteria Set New Construction Buildings, Version 2020 International

Document|pdf|English|12 MB

DGNB Criteria Set Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International

Overview of all
criteria and schemes

In order to address the individual characteristics of your building project, the DGNB System takes into account a variety of criteria and schemes.
You can find an overview here.

Overview of all criteria and schemes

Project registration

To register a project, clients must first hire a DGNB Auditor. This auditor can then register the project. Auditors also accompany the entire process and take over the verification and submission to the DGNB. They are active worldwide and specialise in certain schemes.

The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Buildings, Version 2018" and "Buildings In Use, Version 2020" apply to educational buildings. The current DGNB Systems "New Construction of Building, Version 2020 International" and "Renovation of Buildings, Version 2022 International" apply to international projects.

Find a DGNB auditor

Scale of fees

project registration


Your contacts

Ralf Pimiskern

Ralf Pimiskern

Director DGNB Certification

Markus Kelzenberg

Markus Kelzenberg

Chief Executive Officer DGNB GmbH / Certification Body