Sustainability in architecture has become a cornerstone of modern design, with buildings striving to minimize environmental impact while maximizing efficiency and occupant well-being. Among Europe’s many green structures, one stands out as a leader in sustainable innovation: The Edge in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Completed in 2015 and designed by PLP Architecture, The Edge has consistently ranked as one of the greenest buildings in the world, earning a 98.4% sustainability score from BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
Key Sustainable Features:
The building’s design maximizes natural ventilation, reducing reliance on HVAC systems.
Energy Efficiency & Smart Technology
A 15,000-square-meter solar panel array generates more electricity than the building consumes, making it energy-positive.
An AI-driven smart lighting system using Philips LED panels adjusts based on occupancy and natural light, reducing energy waste.
Ethernet-powered (PoE) lighting eliminates the need for traditional wiring, cutting energy use by up to 50%.
Water & Resource Management
Rainwater is collected and reused for irrigation and toilet flushing.
Greywater recycling reduces freshwater consumption.
Healthy & Adaptive Workspaces
A connected app allows employees to adjust lighting, temperature, and even find parking or workspace based on their schedule.
Abundant natural light and air quality sensors enhance well-being and productivity.
Sustainable Materials & Construction
Use of recycled and locally sourced materials minimises carbon footprint.
A decade after The Edge in Amsterdam set the gold standard for sustainable buildings, why hasn’t another project surpassed it?
While technology and funding play a role, a critical—and often overlooked—factor is the skills gap in the construction industry.
To create buildings that are truly net-zero, energy-positive, or circular, we need a workforce trained in next-generation green construction techniques. But is the industry keeping up?
The Training Gap in Sustainable Construction
1. Traditional Skills Aren’t Enough
Many construction workers today are trained in conventional methods—concrete, steel, and fossil fuel-dependent systems. But sustainable buildings demand expertise in:
- Prefabrication & modular construction (to reduce waste).
- Renewable energy integration (solar, geothermal, smart grids).
- Circular material use (reclaimed wood, recycled steel, low-carbon concrete).
Without green skills and expertise, contractors default to familiar (but less sustainable) practices.
2. Few Workers Are Certified in Green Building Standards
Certifications like BREEAM, LEED, or Passive House require specialized knowledge, yet:
- The construction and building sector faces a shortage of qualified labour and declining interest from young people.
- Many architects and engineers learn sustainability on the job rather than through structured education.
3. The Speed of Innovation Outpaces Training Programs
- New materials (cross-laminated timber, hempcrete) require new installation techniques.
- Digital tools (BIM, AI-driven energy modeling) are evolving faster than vocational courses can adapt.
- Regulations (like the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) keep changing, leaving workers scrambling to comply.
According to the Construction Blueprint (2021; 2022), there are several emerging green skills which will be required to both manage the green transition and implement a variety of changes in construction processes. These include:
CEDEFOP
knowledge of waste management and circular economy principles;
understanding of the concept of sustainability and its application in construction;
skills related to demolition waste management;
on-site recycling;
energy conservation and processes for bringing about energy efficiency;
knowledge of green materials’ use and properties (especially for architects and designers) (ECSO, 2020).
How Can the Industry Close the Gap?
Green Skills in Vocational Training
Countries like Germany and Denmark have integrated sustainability into apprenticeships. The EU’s “Renovation Wave” strategy calls for upskilling 2 million workers by 2030—but progress is slow.
Norway’s Powerhouse Brattørkaia (one of the world’s most energy-positive buildings) succeeded partly because:
Specialist tradespeople were trained in solar panel optimization.
Collaboration with universities ensured cutting-edge research was applied on-site.
On-Site Learning & Micro-Certifications
Instead of waiting for formal degrees, companies like Skanska and Bouygues now offer:
- Short courses on energy-efficient retrofitting.
- Digital twins & BIM training for smarter construction.
- Circular economy workshops for demolition and reuse.
Green Circle
While the challenges are significant, Green Circle hopes that micro-credentials in green construction skills will help bridge the industry’s training gap. By providing flexible, targeted certifications in areas like energy-efficient retrofitting, circular materials, and smart building tech, empowering workers and companies to stay ahead of the sustainability curve. If widely adopted, such efforts could finally equip the workforce needed to build the next Edge—and push sustainable construction into a new era.