Sustainable construction revolution: Two new dm stores set standards!

Sustainable construction revolution: Two new dm stores set standards!

The building sector contributes around 30% to CO₂ emissions in Germany and is therefore one of the largest climate drivers. This particularly affects commercially used properties such as markets and drugstores, which are known to leave a high ecological footprint. To counteract this, sustainable construction approaches are necessary that go beyond simply installing solar panels. A rethink is required with regard to materials, energy consumption and decomposability. Examples of such innovative approaches are the new dm stores in Aidlingen and Neuried, which are considered pioneers in sustainable construction. This reports Utopia.

The dm market in Aidlingen will open in August 2024 and has a sales area of ​​624 m². Particularly noteworthy is the timber hybrid construction, in which CLT timber modules are combined with load-bearing concrete supports. The wood for this comes from the Black Forest and is characterized by its recyclability. A photovoltaic system with 168 modules is also installed to generate electricity. A water-based cooling system ensures a pleasant indoor climate, while the interior is made of organic materials and reused components. A bus stop was also integrated to optimize access to local public transport.

Neuried and the innovative power of timber construction

The new dm store in Neuried, which will open in April 2025, also sets standards in the field of timber construction. With a sales area of ​​650 m², the store was built entirely using a modular wooden construction, which enables it to be dismantled without leaving any residue. The wood used also comes from the Black Forest and the prefabrication of the components helps shorten construction time and conserve resources. A durable trapezoidal sheet metal cover and 180 photovoltaic modules with an output of 82 kW are installed on the roof. In addition, the green roof and a permeable parking lot are used to improve rainwater absorption. The interior is made of reboard and rattan and the climate is regulated via an air-water heat pump. dm acts as the owner of the market and can therefore incorporate ecological aspects into the design.

Another important aspect in the context of sustainable building is the timber construction initiative, which was launched on June 21, 2023 by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction as well as that Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture was brought into being. This initiative aims to reduce barriers to climate-friendly construction using wood and other renewable raw materials. Wood, as a renewable raw material, has many advantages, including low CO₂ emissions during production and acting as a carbon sink.

Focal points and goals of the timber construction initiative

The aim of the timber construction initiative is to promote the resource-efficient use of wood and at the same time support regional value creation. This should be done by involving countries, players from the forestry and wood industry and other institutions. The initiative is to be understood as part of the coalition agreement and has interfaces with other strategies such as the EU Green Deal. The focus is on strengthening climate-friendly construction, supporting research and development and knowledge transfer. Eight fields of action are defined that are to be implemented by 2030 in order to establish sustainable construction methods.

More environmentally friendly construction is therefore not only seen as possible, but should also become the new standard in retail. In recent years, 83% of dm stores in Germany have converted to LED lighting, which represents a further step towards sustainability, as Utopia reports.