Purpose – The paper aims to present the concept and dynamics of building environmental quality (the so-called “high environmental quality” in France) as it has been initiated in France and as it is being actually implemented. It is also aiming at showing how the Haute Qualité Environnementale (HQE) can be a tool towards sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyses the concept of the HQE method, its dynamics, the implementation results and its perspectives. It is showing how the HQE can contribute to sustainable development in the construction sector. Findings – The first results obtained from the implementation of the HQE method show that, well beyond the environment, interesting results are reached in the social field (health, control loads of dwelling, reduction of the accidents on the building sites, etc.) as well as in the economic one (controlled total cost, dynamics of the professions, search and development for new materials, etc.). On the basis of the environment, the HQE thus initiates a true step of sustainable development. Practical implications – In France, it is the step HQE which federates the initiatives around environmental quality in buildings. It is founded on the search for performances touching at the same time the interior environment, for the users, and the environment in general from the interior space scale up to the planet. It is an environmental management which is thus put in practice, rendering responsible and mobilizing the actors for obtaining at the same time personal and collective performances. It is a systemic approach, accounting for the complexity and lifespan of a construction, and creating a synergy among the actors. Originality/value – The paper is a conceptual one. It is trying to present the approach of high environmental quality as ex-post project methodology and the management character of the operation. It is rather original in the analysis of the dynamics and perspectives of the HQE method.