Sustainability in the DNA: Paleis Het Loo achieves BREEAM Excellent

Four years of renovation, thousands of details, and a mission to unite history with the future. And now, the crowning achievement: Paleis Het Loo has been awarded the BREEAM-NL In-Use Excellent certificate. A remarkable achievement for a building dating back to the 17th century. As Johan Splint from Paleis Het Loo aptly puts it: “Sustainability is in our team’s DNA. That’s what made this possible.”

Sustainability as second nature

At Paleis Het Loo, sustainability isn’t just a project or policy; it’s an intrinsic part of the organisational culture. “If it’s possible, we simply do it,” says Johan Splint, Head of Operations. This mindset is visible everywhere: from chemical-free gardens and local suppliers to circular exhibitions and replacing all 55,000 lightbulbs with LED technology, including the monumental chandeliers.

Sustainability is also embedded in daily operations. The gardening team and forty volunteers work entirely without chemicals in the palace gardens, supported by thousands of natural ‘colleagues’ such as insects. Visitors can literally taste sustainability: many of the dishes served in the museum restaurant come directly from the palace garden. Everything on the plate is local, fresh, and sustainable. Even the prints used in exhibitions carry a sustainability label, and decorative panels are reused from earlier displays.

“We actively think together about how things can be improved,” Johan adds. “We have our own workshop where we repurpose materials. Sustainability is not a slogan here; it is a way of working.”

From intuitive action to measurable impact

Many sustainable measures had already been applied intuitively, long before formal processes were introduced. “The involvement of everyone, from gardener to curator, made all the difference,” Johan explains. In order to structure and highlight these efforts, Paleis Het Loo embarked on the BREEAM certification process.

The result speaks for itself: Paleis Het Loo not only achieved the BREEAM Excellent rating but also received an A-label for energy performance. An exceptional accomplishment for a 17th-century building.

The power of invisible sustainability

The most significant sustainability effort took place underground. The 5,000 square metre underground extension enabled the construction of a central energy facility with thermal energy storage. Four heat pumps and more than thirty sub-meters ensure optimal energy management. And the visitors? They do not notice a thing. “We achieved significant sustainability improvements without affecting the historical appearance,” Johan emphasises.

BREEAM: more than just a certificate

For Paleis Het Loo, BREEAM was not a checklist item. It was a tool to ensure a broadly supported, integrated approach. BREEAM looks beyond energy. It covers biodiversity, land use, materials, and water management – precisely the themes that are essential to the palace. Thanks to BREEAM, sustainability became part of every decision and every project. Jacolien, a member of the project team, explains: “BREEAM was not something for the technical or marketing teams alone. Everyone understood what it meant. Whether someone was creating an exhibition or selecting a supplier – every choice was made consciously.”

Creative thinking also extended beyond the buildings. A good example is how a problem was turned into an opportunity. Cars were parking too close to the trees, damaging their roots. That area has now been transformed into a biodiversity experience, with embankments planted with flowers and herbs: a visible and living story of sustainability.

Working with CFP Green Buildings

Paleis Het Loo reopened in 2023. As buildings must be in use for at least one year before they can be certified under BREEAM-NL In-Use, this was the ideal time to begin the process. Paleis Het Loo did not do this alone. CFP Green Buildings provided the energy label, advised on measures, guided the BREEAM certification, and supported the team in defining and safeguarding their sustainability goals. “We were aligned from the very beginning,” Johan reflects.
“CFP asked the right questions, gave us practical tools, and helped ensure that everything was properly documented.”

CFP also noted the extraordinary commitment at Paleis Het Loo. “The level of cooperation was exceptional,” says Sander from CFP. “The motivation and collaboration across every level of the organisation made the difference.”

Tips for sustainable heritage

For managers of other historic buildings who want to pursue sustainability, Paleis Het Loo has a clear message: just begin, because every step forward matters. Integrate sustainability into every decision, build a motivated project team with broad involvement, and see sustainability not as a limitation but as an opportunity to make heritage future-proof. Sustainable success requires intrinsic motivation, teamwork, and the courage to turn challenges into opportunities. Paleis Het Loo proves that it is possible, with a deep respect for heritage and a clear focus on the future.

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Would you like to learn more about achieving a BREEAM certificate like Paleis Het Loo, or are you interested in carrying out a BREEAM scan? Please contact us for more information about BREEAM-NL In-Use.