Haute Qualité Environnementale
Encyclopedia
The Haute Qualité Environnementale or HQE (High Quality Environmental standard) is a standard for green building
in France
, based on the principles of sustainable development
first set out at the 1992 Earth Summit
. The standard is controlled by the Paris
based Association pour la Haute Qualité Environnementale (ASSOHQE).
Managing the impacts on the outdoor environment
Creating a pleasant indoor environment
(BRE) to develop a pan-European building environmental assessment method. The BRE developed and market (BREEAM
(the BRE Environmental Assessment Method), which has similarities to the French HQE. It is hoped that this will eventually result in the development and promotion of a common assessment method throughout the European Union
.
Green building
Green building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, based on the principles of sustainable development
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
first set out at the 1992 Earth Summit
Earth Summit
The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development , also known as the Rio Summit, Rio Conference, Earth Summit was a major United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 June to 14 June 1992.-Overview:...
. The standard is controlled by the Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
based Association pour la Haute Qualité Environnementale (ASSOHQE).
Coverage
The standard specifies criteria for the following:Managing the impacts on the outdoor environment
- Harmonious relationship between buildings and their immediate environment
- Integrated choice of construction methods and materials
- The avoidance of nuisance by the construction site.
- Minimizing energy use
- Minimizing water use
- Minimizing waste in operations
- Minimizing building maintenance and repair
Creating a pleasant indoor environment
- Hydrothermal control measures
- Acoustic control measures
- Visual attractiveness
- Measures to control smells
- Hygiene and cleanliness of the indoor spaces
- Air quality controls
- Water quality controls
Future development
On June 16, 2009, it was announced that the CSTB (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Batiment) and its subsidiary CertiVéA had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together with the Global arm of the United Kingdom's Building Research EstablishmentBuilding Research Establishment
The Building Research Establishment is a former UK government establishment that carries out research, consultancy and testing for the construction and built environment sectors in the United Kingdom...
(BRE) to develop a pan-European building environmental assessment method. The BRE developed and market (BREEAM
BREEAM
BRE Environmental Assessment Method is a voluntary measurement rating for green buildings that was established in the UK by the Building Research Establishment . Since its inception it has since grown in scope and geographically, being exported in various guises across the globe...
(the BRE Environmental Assessment Method), which has similarities to the French HQE. It is hoped that this will eventually result in the development and promotion of a common assessment method throughout the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
See also
- Green buildingGreen buildingGreen building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition...
- Sustainable architectureSustainable architectureSustainable architecture is a general term that describes environmentally conscious design techniques in the field of architecture. Sustainable architecture is framed by the larger discussion of sustainability and the pressing economic and political issues of our world...
- Sustainable designSustainable designSustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability.-Intentions:The intention of sustainable design is to "eliminate negative environmental...