Consense provides participants with a platform on which they can address current sustainable construction issues and share knowledge across disciplines. Held in Stuttgart, Germany, the international congress takes place in conjunction with a trade show. As the only event of its kind in Europe, it combines the viewpoints of the construction industry with those of the real estate sector.

HOCHTIEF recently exhibited at Consense for the third time. The event is organized by the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), which presented the first international certificate for especially environmentally compatible buildings at the congress two years ago. The certificate, which was co-developed by HOCHTIEF, was also one of the focal points at this year's congress.

The two-day congress titled "Sustainability–quo vadis?" addressed the issues of resource conservation, user convenience, and economic performance. The event covered not only construction, but also buildings' entire lifecycles. This holistic approach, which is a firmly established element of HOCHTIEF's strategy, creates ideal conditions for sustainable action.

Bernhard Hohmann, Head of Building Diagnostics/Green Building at HOCHTIEF Consult Real Estate Services, gave a presentation on the measurable benefits of DGNB certification, which kicked off a panel discussion with congress participants. For HOCHTIEF, a special highlight of Consense 2010 was the presentation of the DGNB certificate in silver for the Rüttenscheider Tor, an office building constructed by HOCHTIEF Projektentwicklung in Essen, Germany.