Sustainability
Locally and globally
As Northern Europe's leading fenestrators we are aware, not only of global concerns, but also of our own local environment.
HSHansen always attributes the approach to projects with sustainability in focus.
The primary focus is on solutions, attitudes and materials that take into account both social, economic and environmental sustainability.
Sustainable construction is about more than the environment
Sustainable construction is anchored in the 3 pillars Environment, Economy and Social, which were first defined in 1987 in the Brundtland report and then further specified in the Rio Declaration of 1992. In short, sustainable construction means that a building has the least possible impact on the environment. way - while the construction is good for people to reside in.
Our goal
Our goal is to find an appropriate balance between meeting our customers' needs and our desire to protect the environment.
HSHansen's contribution to Social Sustainability
- Narrow profile systems that provide more daylight and greater comfort
- Natural ventilation via the facade (can contribute to better air exchange)
- Our solutions are aesthetically and architecturally balanced
HSHansen's contribution to Economic Sustainability
- Good energy performance of the facade helps to ensure low operating costs for heating.
- Our products and solutions are established with low U-values
- Material choices are all with long lifetimes and require minimal or no maintenance during the lifetime (+50 years)
HSHansen's contribution to Environmental Sustainability
- Aluminum can be recycled with great advantage, thereby reducing energy consumption and thus the environmental impact
- Choice of materials with long lifetimes contributes positively to a reduced environmental impact.
In recent years, HSHansen has actively participated in a number of projects that have achieved sustainability certifications.
DGNB
- August Schade Kvarteret (ASK04): Goal DGNB Gold
- Hotel Hilton: Measure DGBN Silver
- Lidl HQ: Goal DGNB Platinum
LEED
- Ferring: Measure LEED Gold
BREEAM
- Fylkeshuset Bergen
HSHansen has contributed to the projects with documentation for materials as well as performance (energy) of systems for compliance with the requirements in the respective schemes. HSHansen has prepared EPDs for its own product systems to support the above documentation.
In 2012, the Green Building Council Denmark, the independent council for sustainable and environmentally sound construction in Denmark, introduced the DGNB certification in a version adapted to Danish conditions. In addition, LEED or BREEAM is often used for Danish projects, for buildings for multinational organizations that want to follow one scheme across borders.
HSHansen's systems can make a positive contribution to the various schemes. We have made an overview of which categories in the various schemes we can influence and indicated how this contribution can be optimized. It is important to remember that the earlier in the process we are included in the project, the greater the opportunities to optimize the various parameters.
There are many good reasons to choose HSHansen as contractor, if you are applying for a sustainability certification to according one of the sustainability certifications used in Denmark. We have listed the five main reasons to the right – one for each main quality in the DK-DGNBcertification
# 1 Process Quality
We develop, design, manufacture and mount our systems ourselves. This means we are hands on the product all the way. If you choose HSHansen UnitAl you will have prefabricated elements, which reduces the needed time for construction on site and increases the level of tightness
# 2 Environmental Quality
Around 99% of a window or facade from HSHansen is made of renewable material. Of this up to 80% is glass.
# 3 Economy
When we develop, design and mount our systems long lifetime and robustness is our major concern
# 4 Sociocultural / Functional Quality
Our systems are thermally broken which in combination with a good spacer in the glazing gives us high internal surface temperatures. Thus, low risk of condensation and mold growth is achieved.
# 5 Technical Quality
When working on a project we always calculated the Uvalues for the entire façade based on the specific chosen materials.
To achieve a high rating, sustainability has to be taken into consideration from the very first sketches and thoughts. To make the best choices it is necessary to have access to validated knowledge of the different products. In that case, we have made an overview of the contribution from HSHansen systems to achieve points for the certification. Also, it is always possible to have a talk to one of our salespeople to clarify how HSHansen contributes to a high rating according to the sustainability certifications.
HSHansen environmentally declared products contributes with points for 21 of the 40 criteria concerning DK-DGNB.
You can see our contribution in the overview here:
HSHansen is familiar with the requirements of the BREEAM certification, and is in the process of preparing a more detailed overview of how the Hansen systems contribute to the certification. Until the documentation is ready, you are always welcome to contact HSHansen's sales department for further assistance.
Projects that must be BREEAM certified always receive special treatment in HSHansen's sales and project department, so that it is ensured that the requirements set in relation to BREEAM can be documented.
HSHansen is familiar with the requirements of the LEED certification, and is in the process of preparing a more detailed overview of how the Hansen systems contribute to the certification. Until the documentation is ready, you are always welcome to contact HSHansen's sales department for further assistance.
Projects that are to be LEED certified always receive special treatment in HSHansen's sales and project department, so that it is ensured that the requirements set for LEED can be documented.
Among other things, we have installed facades at Ferring's new headquarters for development in Copenhagen, a project which was to be certified LEED Gold in accordance with LEED New Construction v2009.
There is a growing demand for documentation for certified construction on the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish markets. Therefore, HSHansen has chosen to have EPDs - Environmental Product Declaration prepared for Hansen UnitAl, Hansen Fasad and Hansen Millennium, respectively.
For Hansen Millennium, the EPD is made with a standard triple glazing. For Hansen UnitAl and Hansen Fasad, the EPD is made for 3 variants of filling - triple glazing, Emalit and insulation and Alukassette. We have done this to cover the combination possibilities in a project in the best possible way.
The EPDs are published by EPD Denmark and are prepared in accordance with EN standards and can thus be used in all markets in the EU. In addition, a supplement has been prepared for the Norwegian market to handle the additional requirements that exist in connection with BREEAM-NOR.
The EPDs can be used as documentation in connection with construction, which must be certified in accordance with e.g. Dk-DGNB, LEED or BREEAM.
The EPDs can be found here:
Hansen Millennium (produced at HansenPolska)
HansenGroup is obliged to
- Comply with all existing environmental legislation
- Review environmental performance at all company locations on a regular basis
- Take environmental issues and factors into account when planning and developing new and existing activities
- Improve the environmental impact of the company's activities and prevent pollution
- Make informed contributions to the development of public policy on relevant environmental issues
- Collect information regarding the company's environmental impact and registration
- Respond to society's needs and concerns regarding the environment
For HSHansen, sustainability is not just about certified buildings. We work to bring sustainability into all the choices we make in everyday life. We have therefore initiated a number of activities that will increase awareness and create a more sustainable company.