Living Haus: Simplifying Sustainable Building with QNG and Smart Funding

Living Haus, a brand under the OIKOS Group GmbH, is integrating the Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings (QNG) certification into its prefabricated house construction to facilitate access to sustainable building subsidies and financing for homeowners.

The QNG certification is a scheme established by the German Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB). Its primary objective is to promote a uniform understanding of sustainability within the German construction and building industry while providing a secure legal framework for the allocation of government subsidies.

The Role of QNG in Sustainable Construction

The QNG certification translates sustainability requirements into manageable criteria and practical planning principles. These assessment standards account for planetary boundaries, distributive justice, and intergenerational justice, in addition to economic and utilization-related factors.

For builders, the certification serves as a quality assurance tool. According to the QNG information portal, the application of sustainable development principles in the construction industry is a complex process that requires integration into the responsibilities of all involved stakeholders and adaptation to specific site conditions.

Financial Incentives and Funding Programs

The adoption of QNG standards is closely linked to federal funding opportunities in Germany. Sustainable buildings that possess a DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) Certification and fulfill the additional requirements of the QNG quality label are eligible for funding through the Federal Subsidy for Efficient Buildings (BEG).

Eligibility for BEG funding through QNG and DGNB certification has been in place since July 1, 2021. These certifications also support the Climate-friendly New Builds (KFN) funding program.

Living Haus aims to simplify the process for homeowners to obtain these subsidies and manage the associated loans and interest rate bindings, making the path to sustainable homeownership more accessible through smarter funding and certification.

Living Haus Construction Standards

Living Haus produces prefabricated homes based on quality and sustainability standards. The company utilizes a variety of architectural options, offering over 750 floor plan variants to meet individual needs.

The company’s sustainability approach aligns with requirements from major quality associations in the prefabricated house industry, including the RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V. And the DGNB.

To support the construction process, Living Haus provides several integrated services, including:

• A digital Bau-Cockpit smartphone app for live contact and project management.
• Interior finishing services via the HausStatterei, delivered directly to the construction site.
• DIY expansion coaching led by craftsman experts.
• Assistance with plot acquisition and financing options.

Industry Context and Product Certification

The movement toward QNG and other certifications like LEED, BREEAM, and BNB is reflected in the broader supply chain. For example, flooring manufacturers such as HARO have introduced sustainability product passports to help planners and builders verify if specific materials meet the requirements of the QNG and DGNB systems.

These product passports provide an immediate assessment of a building product’s impact on the overall sustainability of a project, which simplifies the certification process for the final construction project.