Sustainability News from Lorenz Consult

Lorenz Consult has long been committed to the topic of sustainability with a clear strategy, well-founded measures, and a holistic approach. Recently, the company was awarded by EcoVadis. Additionally, Lorenz Consult will participate in the Re-use Congress for climate-neutral construction in November in Linz.

EcoVadis Award: Holistic Approach Convincing

As part of the international sustainability assessment by EcoVadis, Lorenz Consult was awarded the status "Committed" – a clear signal of the company's commitment. The evaluation covered areas such as environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Particular emphasis was placed on the consistent strategic integration of sustainability across all areas of the company. In the course of EcoVadis' development, Lorenz Consult has already established new structures: at the beginning of the year, a contact person for whistleblowing was appointed, and in the future, an annual ethics report will complement the sustainability report.

Strategy: Sustainability Inside and Out

Lorenz Consult's sustainability strategy is divided into two main directions: on one hand, internal measures within the company, and on the other, the integration of sustainability into all service processes offered by Lorenz Consult. Internally, the company consistently relies on fair working conditions, ethical guidelines, transparent communication channels, and environmentally and socially responsible working conditions. Many measures have been implemented here over the past year, such as switching to green energy, reducing energy consumption in standby mode, ergonomic workplace design, and health prevention for employees. Targeted team training is also a central pillar – because only with the right know-how can sustainability be successfully anchored in everyday project work.

Externally – in the projects – Lorenz Consult follows a planning principle that is oriented around the entire lifecycle of a building. In building construction, knowledge of lifecycle analyses (LCA) and lifecycle costs (LCC) has been deepened, internal processes optimized, and sustainability certifications and ratings advanced. At the same time, efforts are underway to systematically integrate sustainability into the general planner processes – especially through LCA, LCC, and linking with BIM. With the BIM method, multiple variants can be tested in a shorter time, helping to find solutions that offer the most benefits. For example, variants are examined to determine where the least waste is produced and how materials can be used most efficiently – saving not only resources but also costs. Material savings also mean CO₂ reduction, lower construction costs, and increased efficiency. With BIM and lifecycle considerations, it can be demonstrated that sustainable solutions often represent the more economical and sustainable choice over the entire period of use.

Cradle-to-Grave and Digital Efficiency

The principle of Cradle to Grave is the foundation of many projects by Lorenz Consult: sustainability is considered across the entire lifecycle – from feasibility studies through planning and construction to deconstruction.

"We design buildings to be durable, to operate efficiently throughout their entire lifecycle, and to consume as little energy and resources as possible. For us, sustainability does not mean sacrifice, but intelligent optimization – ecologically, economically, and with a clear social added value," explains Iva Prus-Kern, Sustainability Officer at Lorenz Consult. "We deliberately use digitalization as a key to resource conservation."

Sustainability is also linked with innovation: digital methods such as BIM, combined with LCA and LCC, are systematically integrated into the general planner processes. "This ensures that our projects are not only technically high-quality but also future-proof and resource-efficient," says Prus-Kern.

Sustainable Projects – from Equestrian Stable to Hospital

The holistic approach is also evident in practice. The Radochen Equestrian Stable is a flagship project for sustainable overall planning from Lorenz Consult. Other examples include the Vienna Book Depot and several projects by the Styrian Hospital Group, where strict sustainability guidelines had to be adhered to. Currently, comprehensive measures for sustainable building and renovation in the sense of circular economy are being implemented at the University Hospital Graz. All departments – from building services, construction, structural engineering, to local building supervision – work closely together. This creates a continuous sustainability approach that reduces CO₂ emissions, saves energy, and minimizes waste.

Sustainable Planning – Added Value for Clients

Sustainability offers numerous measurable benefits: lower operational and lifecycle costs, greater flexibility, better funding opportunities, and increased transparency in planning – especially in public buildings. With thorough analyses and digital methods such as LCA, LCC, and BIM, Lorenz Consult provides the foundation for responsible decision-making. Early in the planning phase, it becomes possible to demonstrate how different variants impact costs, resource consumption, and emissions. Clients thus receive a solid basis to choose the best long-term solution – ecologically, economically, and socially. Moreover, sustainable construction not only increases efficiency but also enhances the attractiveness of projects, especially for public use or in sensitive areas such as health and research. This results in buildings that meet current requirements and also offer real added value for future generations.

"One of the biggest challenges remains the misleading perception that sustainability is automatically more expensive – mainly because more investment is initially required in planning. In reality, sustainable solutions are more durable and, over the entire lifecycle, significantly more cost-effective through the more efficient use of materials and technology. We need to convince clients and society to look beyond initial costs and consider long-term benefits – this is Lorenz Consult's clear stance," emphasizes DI Christian Lorenz, Managing Director of Lorenz Consult.