Welcome

ANNA WOJTKOWIAK Radio journalist
DR. ENG. MARCIN GAWROŃSKI President, Polish Green Building Council PLGBC. Director of Green Building Department, Sweco Poland

RE/GENERATION

MACIEJ FRANTA Architect, Frantagroup Architects

In contemporary architecture, people are increasingly forgotten – and yet people are the main users of buildings. An attempt to answer the question whether residential architecture can and should be sensitive to human social needs.

Trend Talks. Global picture. ESG and technologies vs climate change and sustainable development

Global picture: Where are we and where do we need to go? Challenges we may face over the next decade in the context of rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, a warming climate and conflict.
What are the challenges for business?
The integration of ESG with technology is becoming increasingly important for companies and institutions seeking to develop sustainably and deal effectively with climate change. Collaboration between the private sector, the public sector and civil society can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring a better future for all. Does climate change affect everyone in the same way? Nuances of unequal climate change impacts. Often countries with less robust infrastructure are more vulnerable to severe consequences. It is critical to understand the impact of climate change on different aspects of infrastructure, such as transportation and communications.

JOANNA AŁASA Member of the Board, Sustainable Investment Forum Poland (POLSIF). Principal Expert – Sustainability, ESG Innovation Expert Center, ING Bank Śląski
EMILIA DĘBOWSKA Head of Sustainability Europe, Panattoni. Member of the Board, PLGBC
RAFAŁ GIERSZ Director, Chapman Taylor
DARIUSZ KURYŚ Business Development Manager, Holcim Polska
moderation: ANDRZEJ GUTOWSKI General Director for ESG for Central and Eastern Europe, Colliers

Sustainability and Climate Risk

Era of dynamic technological changes.
How innovations are changing the construction and real estate industry.

case study 1. Innovative systems from Geberit in The Valley and The Lock House projects

ADRIAN BURZYK Sales Director – Projects, Geberit Polska

The Valley and The Lock House are unique examples of modern Amsterdam architecture that combine zero-carbon with high-tech solutions. The Lock House blends seamlessly into its surrounding water environment, and every element, from the solar panels to the vegetation, supports sustainability. Both projects use innovative products from Geberit, the European market leader in sanitary ware, which for more than 30 years has consistently pursued its sustainability strategy, based on the UN’s Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and since 2007 has developed all products in line with Eco-design.

case study 2. The Forge by Landsec - The UK's first net zero carbon building

MICHAŁ GERC BIM Specialist, Aluprof

The Forge in London became the UK’s first commercial building with zero net CO2 emissions – both during construction and during subsequent operation, a landmark example of sustainable construction and innovative design. The project was made possible through the use of Aluprof systems, integrated with BIM technology, which enabled precise planning and optimization of material consumption, increasing efficiency and reducing the time of the various stages of the project.
Due to the stringent requirements imposed on zero-emission investments, a dedicated solution in the form of an elemental facade was necessary. Thus, Aluprof’s individually developed and tested MB-SE 120 SUM aluminum and glass façade system became part of an innovative green investment that can inspire architects and designers not only in the UK, but around the world.

context

KAMIL DOMACHOWSKI Architect, IFAgroup. Winner of EUROPE 40under40®, Architecture and Design Award 2024

Searching for a project idea.
Balance between the designed form and the local surroundings.
Work methodology, models, context analysis.

Innovation with impact

Embodied carbon. How does the production of building materials affect greenhouse gas emissions?

DARIUSZ KURYŚ Business Development Manager, Holcim Polska

As a manufacturer of cement and concrete and a pioneer of decarbonization in Poland and around the world, Holcim has a major role to play in the area of building awareness related to the need for the proper use of cement and concrete and the continuous reduction of the carbon footprint of both materials, in such a way as to minimize their impact on the environment.
Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 (as envisioned by the EU) will not be possible without investments related to CCS systems. For this, we need consensus and clear government policies supporting this type of investment. Of importance for the construction industry is the CPR (Construction Products Regulation), which defines the conditions that construction materials must meet in the EU market. The April amendment to this act aims to make sustainable building materials the norm in the EU. Manufacturers must demonstrate the environmental performance of a product throughout its life cycle. The regulation will also introduce – starting at the end of 2026 – regulations for green public procurement.

Unleashing the circular potential

The numbers show clearly: a transition to circular economy in the European construction industry could save more than €1 trillion and create 2 million new jobs by 2030. Globally, a resource-efficient policy by 2050 could reduce raw material consumption by 25% and cut CO2 emissions by 3.7 billion tons.
So why the circular solutions are not implemented at scale? For what reason are examples of circular economy in the construction industry (especially in Poland) so rare? Is circular economy too high a wall that we are afraid to jump over? What are the barriers and how to overcome them?
Among experts with different perspectives on the sector, we will try to look for solutions to help unleash the potential of circularity.

DOMINIK DARASZ Architect, Partner, Horizone Studio. Member of the Board of the Association of Polish Architects SARP Kraków
ALICJA LESZCZYŃSKA Specification Manager Region Poland, ASSA ABLOY Group
MARTA PROMIŃSKA Director of Sustainability, Strabag. Plenipotentiary of the SARP Board of Directors for Environment and Climate Protection. Architect, urban planner
BARTOSZ MARCOL Sustainability & ESG Manager, Globalworth
moderation: ALICJA KUCZERA CEO, Polish Green Building Council PLGBC. Chair of the GBC CEO Network, World Green Building Council

Buildings of the Future - A vision of healthy, sustainable, optimised indoor spaces, that use no more energy than is absolutely necessary

ALAN JACKSON Intelligent Lighting Evangelist and Business Development Specialist, Company Director, HELVAR

Buildings designed with people in mind, equipped with smart lighting systems and interoperable services, can make the workplace more comfortable, productive and healthy. In this session, we will discuss how smart lighting, smart sensing, interoperable building services and well-being are inextricably linked. We will show how, by making the right choices, these systems in able to reduce energy consumption, improve efficiency and positively impact productivity, health and well-being. We will also look to the future to see how to innovate to provide beautiful, functional, adaptable interior spaces to drive human productivity, innovation and creativity.
And, of course, we will include ESG and CSRD.
Speech in English.

The future is circular

Innovation is the key to introducing circular solutions in construction and architecture.
Collectives, startups, social initiatives and their positive impact on communities, industries and the ecosystem.

case 1. A report from the front line in the fight for second-circulation in construction. Designing and renovating with aftermarket materials

KAROL ŁĄCKI Originator and co-founder, uzyj.to
ALEKSANDER DE ROSSET CTO and co-founder, uzyj.to

We will take you to the battlefield, where we face the challenges of the secondary market and renovation according to circular economy principles. Architects, armed with knowledge, experience and second-hand materials, must react instantly to changing conditions – negotiate, plan and improvise to save seemingly worn-out materials and give them a second life, transforming them into new, beautiful and functional interiors. The battle is not only for aesthetics, but above all for a peaceful, sustainable future.

case 2. BRAVE CIRCULAR IDEAS

DOROTA BALEWICZ Boomplastic
ADAM KRZEMIŃSKI Boomplastic

Boomplastic is a brand specializing in the production of boards and products made from 100% recycled materials. The team takes circularity very seriously, making sure that every stage of production – from the selection of raw materials, through the processing to the final product – is as sustainable as possible. Boomplastic focuses on bold actions, avoiding shortcuts and consistently pursuing the idea of circular economy.

Raising the ambition loop for a zero carbon and resilient future

CRISTINA GAMBOA CEO, World Green Building Council

The enormous impact of buildings on every aspect of human life means that they can not only combat climate change, but also have a positive impact on people, the economy and the planet. So how do we make buildings the solution? Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council, will present how government policy, private sector leadership and a network of Green Building Councils can reinforce each other and work together to take climate action to a higher level.
Speech in English.

Tackling climate change at a higher level - regenerative action. Contemporary green design in the city

What does “regenerative” mean? How can we learn from nature and apply regenerative practices to the economy?
The role and form of green space in cities is being reevaluated. Biodiversity is increasingly being treated as a key ESG driver, as it plays an important role for both the environment and society, and is an important risk and value factor for companies and investors. Green and blue infrastructure is turning to restoration. Evenly trimmed parks and lawns are being replaced by rain gardens and retention basins, and flower beds are being replaced by flower meadows, grasses and perennials. Pocket parks are an important part of urban planning that helps create more sustainable, healthy and pleasant living environments in cities.

DOROTA CUDNA-SŁAWIŃSKA Board Member, Chief Commercial Officer, Kantar Polska
KATARZYNA KOBIERSKA Landscape architect. Member of the Board, Association of Landscape Architecture SAK. Founder of the KA KOBIERSKA studio.
EWA PRZEŹDZIECKA Vice-president of the Board, Unidevelopment
GRZEGORZ RYBICKI Property Manager, Asset & Property Management, 7R
moderation: MARTA USIELSKA New Business and Marketing in Property Management, CBRE

The social context of investment. Placemaking in practice

MARTA TRAKUL-MASŁOWSKA Chairwoman, Fundacja Na Miejscu

How to create living places and public spaces with the involvement of communities and designers? We will share methods of transforming poorly functioning places, creating new spaces and building social relationships in cities. We will show solutions that create a socially and environmentally sustainable investment.

The architecture is still too often denying all the emotions carried by resident

NADIA SAHMI Architect, founder and director of the Cogito Ergo Sum agency and Us-Âges approach

How to combine construction, environmental protection and mental health? Buildings and cities can help us regulate our emotions: make us feel more or less anxious, calm us or anger us, open us up or reject us, connect us or isolate us, love ourselves or hate ourselves. They can heal us.
Speech in English.

Innovative urban design and placemaking. The city as a laboratory for sustainable initiatives, cross-sectoral innovations and community-oriented strategies

In the rapidly changing landscape of the 21st century, cities have become models of innovation for sustainable development goals. What core skills and knowledge areas should we focus on? Key topics that will define urban sustainability in the near future. Cities are creatively addressing pressing urban challenges, including population density, transportation, housing and resilience. They have the potential to pioneer a comprehensive climate agenda. Cities act as catalysts for revolution, implementing effective solutions that can be applied globally.
Caring Cities – how to bring people together to co-create the kind of city where we can all thrive. We need green, caring cities that benefit everyone, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, and building inclusive communities that enable sustainable development. Cohousing and Community.

ARTUR CELIŃSKI Editor-in-chief, Architektura Murator. Co-founder and deputy editor-in-chief, Magazyn Miasta
WOJCIECH KILJAŃCZYK Deputy Mayor, City of Rybnik, social innovation project: Cohousing for seniors
MAGDALENA KUBECKA Anthropologist, city researcher, placemaker, Fundacja Na Miejscu
BEATA PATUSZYŃSKA City For Children, Urbact IV expert, educator and researcher of children’s needs in urban space
moderation: MARCIN GAWROŃSKI Director, Ecological Construction Department, Sweco Polska. Polish Green Building Council PLGBC. Fundacja Miasta Przyszłości

Wellbeing makeover: foresight of an effective office

BARBARA MAJERSKA Architect and researcher, workplace
MAGDALENA WOJTAS Sustainable Development Manager, Polish Green Building Council PLGBC

Wellbeing is one of the most important and popular recent concepts in thinking about architecture, especially office spaces. There is a lot of talk about the need to take care of wellbeing in the workplace and the effective solutions being implemented. PLGBC, together with Workplace, investigated how companies in Poland care about the health and well-being of their employees, and how this translates into the realization of the organization’s strategic goals.

Passion - a space that stabilizes life

PIOTR KRZYŻOWSKI Himalayan climber, GOPR rescuer and lawyer. The only man in the world to conquer Lhotse and Mount Everest, climbing alone and without the use of supplemental oxygen from cylinders. Conqueror of seven eight-thousand-meter peaks. Winner of the Taternik award named after Jerzy Kukuczka and KOLOSY

What passion gives us, what we discover through it, who we meet, what we learn about ourselves and the world. How, thanks to it, we experience life, the passing of time, changes in the world and realize that life is beautiful and cannot be easy, because it would be boring.
I invite you to travel to “My World”, a world of high mountains, snow and ice, a world where simple zero-one rules rule. Where there is only you, your knowledge and experience, the equipment you have and a partner you can count on.

plgbc green building awards 2024 competition summary

NATALIA OLSZEWSKA Co-founder, IMPRONTA. Lecturer, Neuroscience Applied to Architectural Design, IUAV University in Venice. Jury Member of the PLGBC Green Building Awards 2024
MICHAŁ MARSZAŁEK Associate, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Jury Member of the PLGBC Green Building Awards 2024

plgbc green building awards 2024 presentation and cocktail party

Unique statuettes prepared by the architectural studio Horizone Graphics.

Welcome

ALICJA KUCZERA CEO, Polish Green Building Council PLGBC. Chair of the GBC CEO Network, World Green Building Council

Buildings in the foreground - emissions, decarbonization, investments

ANITA CIEŚLICKA Director of the Urban Program, Energy Forum. One of the 25 female climate and environmental leaders 2024 in Poland according to FORBES WOMEN

Energy transformation is no longer a distant or abstract concept. It is increasingly knocking on the doors of our homes and apartments. Our choices regarding heating methods, investments in new technologies or planned renovations affect not only our living comfort or our bills. Also at stake in this game is clean air, lowering CO2 emissions and reducing the entire country’s dependence on coal and gas. On the other side, however, there are the challenges of high modernization costs, lack of qualified specialists or technical difficulties. Our country’s well-thought-out and well-communicated strategy for improving the energy efficiency of public and private buildings – especially the oldest ones – is the missing link in the energy transition. What can be done to win big goals through the commitment and everyday decisions of citizens? Why are buildings a critical transformation topic? Who will pay for it?

FoCa - what's new in the world of buildings' carbon footprint?

DR. ENG. DOROTA BARTOSZ Director for Sustainable Buildings, Polish Green Building Council PLGBC

LAUNCH of FoCA’s education and calculation platform. A tool for estimating a building’s carbon footprint in phases A1-A3 with the first Polish generic data for selected building materials.

Report on environmental declarations on the construction products market

MICHAŁ PIASECKI, PH.D. ENG. Researcher, professor, Institute of Building Technology ITB

Verified environmental declarations (EPDs) have been available on the market for more than a dozen years, but more and more companies are expected to make such information about their products available in the coming years.
Many markets require environmental declarations in tenders and bid competitions. The content of EPDs is being integrated into the European regulatory framework and the Construction Products Regulation, but managing the complex information available in EPDs also requires a standardized approach to digitization. These processes have already been initiated by the European Commission. Environmental declarations will become part of the declaration of performance.

Legal conditions for the obligation to calculate the carbon footprint

DR. ENG. ARCH. KAJETAN SADOWSKI Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Wrocław University of Science and Technology

When will carbon footprint calculations be mandatory? What challenges does Polish legislator face? Which country has already introduced this obligation? The presentation will discuss the legal conditions of European Union policy that oblige member states to calculate the operational and embodied carbon of buildings.

The product and its impact on the environment, the importance of the EPD declaration on the Polish market

AGNIESZKA PIKUS Energy and Building Performance Manager, LEED Green Associate, JWA

EPD and benefits for products and manufacturers. Opportunities and challenges for construction and construction products. The future of EPD in the face of changing European regulations.

An obstacle course toward decarbonization. Do we have time?

Why are LCA calculations for buildings not common? How to encourage manufacturers to have type III environmental declarations (EPDs) for products? Do we have enough experts with know-how in carbon footprint calculations? What challenges do legislators face to ensure that the industry is not surprised by 2028?
Invited experts will share their experiences both about the impact of products and design and analysis practices on estimating the carbon footprint of buildings. We’ll talk about what steps need to be taken to make it more common for manufacturers to perform analyses or have EPDs for products, as well as how to convince the government to implement the requirements of the EPBD in this regard as soon as possible.

WIKTOR KOWALSKI Associate Director, Buro Happold. Member of the Board, Polish Green Building Council PLGBC
MICHAŁ KOZŁOWSKI Founder of Digital Real Estate
DOMINIKA LAUBE Environmental Manager, PEKABEX
ALEKSANDRA STĘPNIAK Public Affairs Manager, VELUX
moderation: DR. ENG. DOROTA BARTOSZ Director for Sustainable Buildings, Polish Green Building Council PLGBC