Three different projects, one shared ambition: futureproof real estate
From large-scale residential portfolios and sustainable office accommodation to a vertical urban forest in the heart of Utrecht: three projects involving CFP Green Buildings have been nominated for the International BREEAM Awards 2026 in Londen.
The projects are finalists in three different categories and demonstrate the broad range of ways sustainability is now being applied within real estate. From operational performance and responsible occupancy to climate adaptation and biodiversity, each project showcases its own approach to creating futureproof real estate.
Vesteda finalist in the In-Use Performance category
Vesteda Investment Management’s residential portfolio has been nominated in the In-Use Performance category. This category recognises buildings and portfolios that demonstrate continuous improvement in sustainability and operational performance through BREEAM In-Use.
BREEAM as a strategic steering instrument
Together with CFP Green Buildings and Longevity Partners, Vesteda certified almost its entire Dutch residential portfolio: approximately 28,000 rental homes spread across nearly 500 complexes. This makes the project one of the largest BREEAM In-Use residential certification programmes in the Netherlands.
Where certification in the real estate sector is often used as the final step of a project, Vesteda uses BREEAM as a strategic steering instrument instead. Not to achieve the highest possible score, but to gain insight into where further sustainability improvements can be made.
Within the project, CFP Green Buildings acted as BREEAM Expert and was responsible for the preparation and structuring of the assessments. The challenge was not only collecting data, but also organising information intelligently at portfolio level. Which elements can be standardised? Where is customisation required? And how do you ensure consistent quality across hundreds of complexes?
A sustainability passport for 28,000 homes
During the recertification process, the team also worked according to an updated BREEAM methodology, meaning that large parts of the evidence base had to be rebuilt. Together with Vesteda, CFP developed a new approach and data structure to continue monitoring the portfolio in a futureproof way.
The results are tangible. Energy intensity fell from 101.9 kWh/m² in 2022 to 90.1 kWh/m² in 2025. Water consumption and carbon emissions also decreased significantly. In addition, climate risks, maintenance, renovations and investment decisions are now systematically linked to sustainability data across the portfolio.
According to Vesteda, BREEAM has therefore become more than a final report. It functions as a continuous sustainability passport that helps improve the portfolio over time.
Wonderwoods finalist for Climate Resilience Excellence
Wonderwoods in Utrecht has also been named a finalist. The a.s.r. project has been nominated in the Climate Resilience Excellence category, which recognises projects that actively address climate risks such as heat stress, flooding and biodiversity loss.
Biodiversity and climate adaptation integrated
Wonderwoods combines living, working and nature within a high-density urban environment and is considered the tallest green building in the Netherlands. The project achieved BREEAM Outstanding for its office functions and BREEAM Excellent for its residential units.
With approximately 300 trees and 75,000 plants and shrubs, Wonderwoods forms a vertical ecosystem in the middle of the city. Biodiversity, health and climate adaptation are structurally integrated into both the design and day-to-day management of the building.
CFP Green Buildings supported a.s.r. real estate as BREEAM Expert throughout the full BREEAM-NL In-Use certification process. CFP was responsible for collecting and structuring evidence, substantiating sustainability measures and translating the building’s performance into the various BREEAM categories.
Read more about the project here.
From nature-inclusive design to sustainable management
According to CFP, Wonderwoods stands out particularly in the areas of ecology and water management. An innovative water buffer system beneath the building captures rainwater and can discharge up to 150,000 litres of water in a controlled manner during periods of heavy rainfall. In doing so, the project actively contributes to climate adaptation, water retention and reducing pressure on the urban drainage system.
In addition, a long-term management and maintenance strategy ensures that the ecological value of the building is preserved over time. According to the jury, this combination of nature-inclusive design, sustainable management and measurable performance makes Wonderwoods an example of futureproof urban development.
PwC Netherlands finalist in the Responsible Occupier Award category
PwC Netherlands is a finalist in the Responsible Occupier Award category. This category recognises organisations that actively promote sustainability through their role as occupiers or tenants of buildings.
Sustainability embedded across the entire office portfolio
PwC achieved BREEAM In-Use Outstanding across its entire Dutch office portfolio of twelve locations. As a result, the organisation is considered one of the frontrunners in sustainable real estate use and demonstrates how tenants can actively influence the sustainability performance of buildings.
The portfolio achieved scores of around 90 per cent and was recertified under a stricter BREEAM methodology. Ambitious sustainability targets were also embedded within lease agreements, including Paris Proof targets of below 70 kWh/m² per year.
CFP Green Buildings guided the entire process and supported PwC in translating sustainability ambitions into concrete BREEAM performance across all twelve locations.
Read more about this project here.
From ambition to measurable performance
The challenge was not only the scale of the portfolio, but also the diversity of the buildings and stakeholders involved. From major headquarters to smaller regional offices, each location required its own approach. CFP also helped structure hundreds of evidence documents from different departments, including Facility Management, HR, Procurement and Sustainability.
Several sustainable interventions were implemented across the portfolio, including thousands of solar panels at the Amsterdam office, thermal energy storage in Rotterdam and improved lighting in Utrecht. Circular fit-outs also play an important role, with demountable constructions and reusable materials as key principles.
According to the jury, PwC demonstrates how tenants can play an active role in accelerating the sustainability transition within real estate. By structurally embedding sustainability into policy, lease agreements and daily operations, the project has become an example for the commercial real estate market.
Working together towards futureproof real estate
The three nominations demonstrate that sustainability within real estate takes many different forms. From improving operational performance across large portfolios to climate adaptive design and responsible occupancy, impact is created through collaboration and a shared long-term vision.
CFP Green Buildings is proud to work alongside clients and partners on projects that are internationally recognised for their contribution to a futureproof built environment. The winners of the International BREEAM Awards 2026 will be announced in London on 30 September 2026.
