Event 2026-04-21: DGNB​-Built Assets Optimization through DGNB Certification System

European Excellence for Sustainable Value Generation in New Construction, Retrofitting and Existing Building Optimization in China

This seminar is most relevant for companies considering new construction of facilities and retrofit or even just operational performance optimization of their existing building stock.

A Changing Context

As Taicang hosts a thriving community of European SMEs and industrial players, the session will open with an overview of the global sustainability agenda and China’s rapid shift towards resilient, high-quality development and decarbonization. This emphasis demonstrates the need for buildings to be not only environmentally responsible but also socially inclusive and economically future proof – offering a multitude of competitive advantages.

DGNB Certification System: Comprehensive Framework and Toolbox

DGNB – Europe’s leading sustainability certification framework for buildings and districts – has long been shifting the focus from being a compliance tool to being a strategic enabler of systemic change.

Participants will be introduced to the DGNB system’s holistic, life-cycle-based approach that aligns with China 2030/60 targets and newly released 5-year plan, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Green Deal.

Unlike other sustainability labels that focus only on ecology or energy, DGNB explicitly rewards economic performance (life-cycle cost, value stability) and socio-functional quality. Its comprehensive methodology functions as a business toolbox for performance driven planning, design and construction. This makes it a highly customizable, balanced and flexible tool to identify project-specific synergies and facilitate individually tailored risk mitigation and value creation.

Case Studies: Local Relevance and Value Creation in China

Participants will gain insights into how DGNB’s transparent assessment approach can support companies in meeting both European corporate sustainability standards, ESG compliance, local regulatory requirements and create individual competitive advantages.

The primary focus of this section will be the tangible and intangible benefits of DGNB certification, including OpEx and CapEx savings through resource efficiency, improved employee well-being, enhanced brand reputation, high quality across environmental, economic and socio-functional indicators and stronger investor confidence.

Real-world case studies from China will demonstrate how companies in the Taicang region can integrate DGNB principles into their business strategy to stand out as sustainability leaders within their sectors.

Course Content

Your Factory in Taicang is a Strategic Asset. Are You Optimizing It?

• Tailor-made sustainability certification paths and CO2-neutrality roadmaps
• Focus on economic viability and asset value protection
• Generate not just “green”, but future-proof buildings

Speak the Language of European Quality in the Chinese Market

• Worldwide recognized standard from home: DGNB as leading system in DACH region and trusted framework for European headquarters
• Transparency provides third-party verified proof of sustainability claims
• DGNB International System (Chinese Version) references local GB code and is easy to implement within local design and construction processes

Second-Generation Sustainability Framework

• Powerful marketing stories resonate with KPIs of local authorities
• ESG-Verification links directly with EU taxonomy for sustainability compliance and aligns local operation with global ESG reporting standards

DGNB Application in Value Engineering: Case Studies in China

Value-engineered Projects Pay for Themselves

• Near 0% added investment and considerable reduction in operating costs
• Increased productivity, wellbeing and attractivity for competitive talent

• Access to subsidies and green finance

Clear and Comprehensive Path to Certification

• Realization of multiple, synergistic benefits across:
  • Environmental Quality (Planet)
  • Economic Quality (Profit)
  • Socio-cultural & Functional Quality (People)
  • Technical Quality (Performance)
  • Process Quality (Business Culture)
  • Site Quality (Location)
• Tailor-made, long term CO2 neutrality roadmaps to align today’s actions with tomorrow’s targets
• Data-driven variant comparisons as support for confident decision-making
• Resilient design and construction processes as base for future-proof buildings

Speaker

Rolf Demmler is an architect, urban planner and sustainability consultant. He is DGNB Ambassador to China and founding director of SoftGrid Shanghai Ltd.

He has designed and audited numerous buildings in China for clients such as BASF, Disney, Marriott, VW, Ardex and Festo as well as a multitude of Chinese local players.

Mr. Demmler is a worldwide certified DGNB Auditor, DGNB ESG-Manager, LEED GA and PHI Designer and Official CSUS （MHURD China）consulting expert. He has held guest lectures, workshops and design studios at Tongji and other Chinese universities and is a regular contributor on sustainable design conferences in China.

About DGNB / SoftGrid

Founded in Stuttgart 2007, DGNB – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen / German Sustainable Building Council – is the EU’s largest and most important certifier of sustainable buildings and districts.

With >11.000 projects DGNB-certified worldwide, DGNB has proved its mission – “Making Sustainability the New Normal” – to be a valid business case.

SoftGrid Shanghai offers DGNB audits and integrated architectural design. It is the official DGNB Service Provider in China making DGNB’s methodological value engineering locally accessible, providing training and capacity building, hosting the DGNB Community and systematically streamlining certification processes so projects can be easily and successfully implemented in China.

Target Audience

EU and local Chinese Company CEOs, Construction / FM Directors, Operations Directors, and Finance Directors in Taicang – especially in organizations with upcoming new construction, retrofitting existing building optimization projects.

Language: English / Chinese

When: 14:00 – 16:00 on 21.04.2026

Where:

German Centre Taicang, Dongting Building, 16th Floor, Middle Zhenghe Road 319, Taicang

Cost and Registration

Free of charge, prior reservation required. Please scan below to register.