The European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) obliges the member states to ensure that, by 31 December 2020, all new buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB). This paper presents solutions for steel-intensive commercial buildings that achieve this requirement. Several key components such as façades, floor systems and steel piles for ground energy storage were investigated in detail using numerous numerical simulations and practical tests of selected options. Furthermore, options for a whole building which fulfil the zero-energy building approach were identified for different European climates by performing a parametric study using a thermal building simulation tool.