Fostering International Business Collaboration between Switzerland and North America in Cleantech, Energy Efficiency, Renewables and Sustainable Construction Methods

Our aim is to build a strong tie across the Northern Atlantic for the exchange of technology and know-how. As leading industrial countries it is our duty to join forces in order the tackle the global challenges we are facing today.

Nelson Architech collaborates with leaders and pioneers in the European and American sustainability community to offer premium cross-cultural solutions tailored to the North-Amercian market. We work closely with local professionals in order to adapt European solutions to the North American building culture.

Our Services include:

• Full design, engineering and consulting services to fellow professionals in North America to overcome current inefficient building practices and create new innovative and sustainable solutions.
• We offer alternative energy modeling and facilitate the certification for European labels “Minergie®” and “Passivhaus” in addition to LEED.
• We offer access to other innovative technologies on the European market.

There are many building performance labels worldwide, most of them are strictly national, however, there are some labels that still resonate far beyond their country of origin, such as the Swiss label Minergie® and the German label “Passivhaus” due to their high benchmark level that truly challenge the architects to make use of all the passive and active technologies available today. Regardless of building certification we always strive to meet the most stringent benchmarks any label has to offer.

One of the main characteristics of those aforementioned labels are that they are heavily based on energy performance, the Passivhaus standard even goes so far to forbid any active heating or cooling systems, hence, heating and cooling can only be achieved through passive measures. The Swiss label Minergie® sets similar benchmarks with its high performance label Minergie®-P and with its Minergie®-P-Eco, it sets extra high demands on the sustainability (recyclability or low embodied energy) of the incorporated building materials. (Wiki: Minergie, Passivhaus)

Furthermore, we recognize and strongly support the goals that the 2’000 Watt Society represent for a sustainable and socially just society around the globe. The theory proclaims that there is for every person on earth 2’000 watts of continuous power (primary energy) available to ensure prosperity and a high quality of life. The CO2 emissions linked to this level of energy consumption must not exceed 1 tonne per person per year in order to avoid severe climate changes. We know that with properly designed energy-efficient buildings we can make our contribution toward meeting that goal. Learn more about the 2’000 Watt Society at 2000-watt-society.ch or the website of the city of Zürich (link).

Over 100 cities and towns have incorporated the 2’000 Watt Society goals into their bylaws or energy policy objectives!

• We offer our clients a choice to pursue European energy performance standards that by far exceed the benchmarks set by LEED for example. A project designed at the highest European performance standards available will likely facilitate the certification for any other desired label. Especially the SAF system offers a great advantage in achieving standards that demand carbon neutrality or low embodied energy.