Green heights – How the DC Tower is setting new standards.

The DC Tower, Austria’s first high-rise building with LEED Platinum certification, combines pioneering technologies, innovative building concepts, and smart management into an ecologically well-conceived overall system—impressively demonstrating that sustainability does not end with construction, but begins with operation.

The DC Tower in Vienna stands for more than impressive architecture – it embodies a new generation of intelligent, sustainable high-rise buildings. From the very beginning, it was consistently planned and constructed in accordance with the EU Commission’s energy and environmental standards for Green Buildings. Since January 2015, it has held the highest level of the LEED certification system – Platinum status. But that is not all.

Certified Quality
As part of the BREEAM re-certification process, the sustainability performance of existing buildings is comprehensively reassessed every three years. Since the last certification, the assessment criteria have not only evolved but have also become more stringent. This makes the DC Tower’s current result all the more remarkable: through targeted optimization measures, the building not only maintained its “Excellent” status but significantly improved it to 80.48% – and naturally, the additional 5% required to achieve the next higher rating of “Outstanding” is being actively pursued. The foundation for this success was a dedicated optimization plan, which included measures such as lux measurements to assess lighting quality indoors and outdoors, verification of optimal daylight provision, comprehensive view calculations, a complete technical building assessment, and a climate risk analysis including emergency planning. Aspects such as accessibility, biodiversity, and mobility concepts were also evaluated – with exemplary results.

Sustainable Efficiency That Delivers
In addition, numerous environmentally friendly technologies shape the building’s operations. Photovoltaic systems, energy-regenerating elevators, an efficient rainwater management system, and operation powered by 100% green electricity form the basis of a forward-looking energy concept. Particularly innovative is the concrete core temperature control system: the heat or cooling stored within the building mass ensures resource-efficient seasonal climate regulation. This is complemented by a two-stage heat recovery system in the air conditioning units, as well as an intelligent building and energy management system with climate technology that already reduces CO₂ emissions by more than ten percent.

Mobility, Rethought in Green
A modern e-mobility fleet – consisting of electric cars, e-bikes, e-scooters, and an electric cargo bike – is available for flexible use. DC Tower tenants are therefore actively integrated into the sustainability concept. Green lease agreements promote responsible building use, while infrastructure offerings such as a bicycle workshop, showers, and lockers make the transition to environmentally friendly mobility easier.

Looking Ahead – With Responsibility
The DC Tower remains what it has been from the very beginning: a pioneer. As an architectural landmark and intelligent workspace, it stands for progress, innovation, and sustainable urban development. With its presence on Vienna’s skyline, it reminds us that true visions not only strive for great heights, but must also be deeply rooted.