Three quick questions to our LEED Advisor, Helle Rex

What is the connection between the climate/environment and construction?
"Construction accounts for a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions and natural resource consumption. And on a daily basis, building operations represent almost 40 per cent of primary energy use in the US alone. This figure clearly demonstrates that there is considerable scope for green improvements within the construction sector.

Even though interior decoration and furniture do not weigh nearly as heavily when evaluating a given building's total environmental footprint, we nevertheless regard our modest contribution to the overall equation as significant. As a player in the building sector, we want to fulfil our responsibilities and do our bit as far as the overall environmental challenge is concerned."

What is HOWE doing to become a greener business?
"As the LEED advisor and the person responsible for a wide range of our environmental projects, I work daily to make HOWE a greener company.

For example, we have appointed an interdisciplinary product enhancement committee which is systematically reviewing and assessing our products with the aim of reducing resource consumption in production. Moreover, we have launched what we call a Product Environmental Profile (PEP), which is a kind of green fact sheet on every product.

In addition, every day we provide advice to many of our customers and business partners on how to create beautiful and functional interiors with the least possible environmental impact, among other things in connection with furnishing LEED-certified construction projects. But LEED is not just something we talk about ... it is a mindset that is deeply rooted in our organisation and in our actions.

Furthermore HOWE's headquarter in Middelfart, Denmark, is solely supplied with green energy. This means that all furniture that have been processed at HOWE headquarters have all been processed in a CO₂ reducing- and environmentally-friendly environment.

Most recently we have also launched a recycling program where disposed HOWE-furniture can be taken back, when it is the most sustainable and environmental-friendly solution."

Why should a developer choose to LEED-certify his project?
"In several places, you don't even have a choice in the matter ... In Dubai, where we are very active, it has been decided that 90 per cent of all new buildings must be LEED-certified. In such a market, documentation, know-how and consultancy are all-important competition parameters.

One of the chief advantages is that brand new buildings are better documented, and the environmental aspects are incorporated from the outset. This is obviously wiser than trying to modify a building once it is in use.

A LEED building will often have a better indoor environment than a conventional building. Finally, many calculations show that environment-friendly buildings often command a higher square-metre price when traded. In other words, high-quality construction is sustainable from both an economic and an environmental perspective."

If you wish to discuss LEED or other green aspects you are welcome to contact Helle Rex on hre@howe.com.