Research into the Possibility of Achieving the NZEB Standard in Poland by 2021—Architect’s Perspective

Abstract

The document presents studies on the level of awareness of Polish architects regarding the possibilities of improving the energy efficiency of buildings, the use of energy performance, and the achievement of the NZEB standard by 2021. The survey was conducted among 118 architects involved in the preparation of project documentation required by Polish law for newly built facilities. The article presents the background and methodology of the conducted research, including the design process and selected architectural and construction procedures conditioning the real improvement of the energy efficiency of the Polish construction industry. The results of surveys regarding architects’ opinions on the practical application of energy performance as the basic tool for energy evaluation and their approach to the issues of efficient energy management in buildings were presented. These results were confronted with the current architectural and construction procedures in Poland. The conclusions were drawn up and the weaknesses of the latest regulations and routines were presented. The recommendations for their improvement were formulated, showing the urgent necessity of preparing and educating architects in order to effectively implement the EU climate and energy policy. The results of the research were presented during expert meetings at the Ministry of Investment and Economic Development (MIED) in November and December 2018, aimed at improving the legal regulations related to the implementation of the new Directive 2018/844/EU into the national law.