The paper contributes to the fulfilment of the environmental targets of the EU by introducing an innovative solution for envelopes of nearly zero -energy buildings (nZEB). It presents the development of an environmentally friendly alternative to aluminium curtain wall systems for new constructions or renovations. The research and development were from the early stages led by design strategies for low embodied energy and embodied carbon structures. The first technical concept was analysed using comparative life cycle assessment (LCA). Prototypes were tested to verify their technical performance (air- and water tightness, fire resistance, acoustic properties, short- and long-term hygrothermal monitoring). The final pre-production design was subjected to a detailed LCA, and various possibilities for its improvement were suggested and assessed. The early-stage LCA showed a high potential for reduction of the embodied environmental impact by utilization of natural materials. The results of the experimental testing proved that thus developed curtain wall system fulfilled the standard technical requirements. The detailed pre-production LCA study proved that the fabrication of one panel of the curtain wall system being developed causes significantly lower environmental impact compared with a panel of a common aluminium curtain wall system. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.