Weitblick, 1020 Vienna:A new landmark for Vienna

Facts and figures

How and when are the key decisions made to create an allergy-friendly building?

Health quality assurance does not begin with an indoor air quality measurement at the end of the process. It starts much earlier—with the planning, choice of materials, ventilation system, and even the design of outdoor spaces and landscaping.

Is an allergy-friendly building only beneficial for people with allergies?

What benefits people with allergies also creates better conditions for every building occupant: fewer pollutants, better indoor air quality, and a healthier building environment. People with allergies simply tend to notice the difference sooner.

What measurable benefits do healthy buildings provide for their occupants?

Every tenth sick leave is allergy-related. Around 100 million days of absence from school and work are attributed to allergies each year. Healthier indoor environments can help reduce these risks, potentially resulting in fewer days of absence and greater well-being.

What specific medical checks were carried out at Weitblick?

AFBA assesses buildings against a catalogue of 22 practical, medically reviewed requirements. The assessment covers the materials used, indoor air quality and ventilation, landscaping, as well as cleaning and facility management. As part of the certification process, for example, VOC and formaldehyde emissions are reduced, allergenic preservatives and fragrances are limited, and highly allergenic plants in the surrounding area are avoided.

How is Weitblick’s health quality verified under the AFBA standard?

AFBA accompanies the building from planning and implementation through to completion. At the end, measurements verify whether the high standards for indoor environmental quality have been met. The specific results are fully transparent and available for review at any time.

How does AFBA complement established building certifications such as DGNB, LEED, and WELL?

Sustainability needs an additional dimension: health. AFBA complements established building certifications with a medically and allergologically based assessment, making health-related building qualities measurable and verifiable. This allows AFBA to specifically strengthen the social dimension of ESG and to be integrated into sustainability strategies and reporting. AFBA does not replace existing certifications; it complements them with a medical perspective on buildings and their users.

How is the building’s health quality maintained during tenant fit-out and ongoing operation?

A healthy building is not created through its construction alone. During fit-out, the choice of furniture and flooring is important, particularly in terms of the materials used and the emissions they release. AFBA provides clear guidance to help maintain indoor environmental quality. In the long term, the building’s health performance also depends, among other things, on regular maintenance of the ventilation system and the timely replacement of filters.