In the world of sustainable construction, one certification stands out: BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. It’s a name that resonates with architects, builders, and sustainability advocates across the UK. Recently, I had the opportunity to delve into a specific aspect of BREEAM’s Knowledge Base with Emily Harper, a seasoned BREEAM assessor whose insights illuminate the complexities of sustainable building practices.
Discover how Focus360 Energy can help with BREEAM certification.
Emily’s journey into the world of BREEAM began over a decade ago. “I was always passionate about sustainability,” she explained as we settled into our conversation. “But what really drew me to BREEAM was its rigorous approach to evaluating and improving building performance. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about genuinely enhancing the built environment.”
Our discussion focused on a crucial topic within BREEAM’s Knowledge Base: the validity of conducting options appraisals that compare the reuse or recycling of existing construction products on-site with products from other sources. This approach is not just a technical exercise; it’s a cornerstone of sustainable construction.
Emily elaborated on this, highlighting how an options appraisal can guide a design team in making informed decisions about material use. “Typically, when we think about sustainability, we consider the environmental impact of materials,” she said. “But what BREEAM encourages is a deeper examination of the lifecycle of these materials, especially when it comes to reusing them.”
In a typical construction project, materials such as concrete, steel, and timber are often seen as disposable once their initial purpose is served. However, BREEAM’s emphasis on options appraisal challenges this notion. Emily pointed out that reusing materials can often lead to lower environmental impacts compared to sourcing new materials. “It’s about giving materials a second life,” she emphasized. “And in doing so, we often find that we can reduce the carbon footprint of a project significantly.”
The process, as Emily explained, involves a detailed analysis of the potential environmental impacts at each stage of a product’s lifecycle. This includes considering the impacts at the end of a product’s previous life (such as demolition and processing) and the beginning of its new life (like additional processing and maintenance). “It’s not always straightforward,” she admitted. “Sometimes, the initial thought might be that reusing is always better, but options appraisal helps us see that it’s not always the case.”
One of the challenges, Emily noted, lies in managing the design constraints that reused materials might impose. “You might have to accept a certain structural layout or aesthetic to achieve the lower environmental impacts,” she said. “But that’s where the real creativity of sustainable design comes in—working with what you have and making it work.”
I asked Emily how often she encounters projects where this level of appraisal is applied. “It’s becoming more common,” she replied. “Especially as more organisations are committing to sustainability goals. BREEAM provides a framework that makes these practices not only feasible but also beneficial from both an environmental and economic standpoint.”
Emily also touched on the importance of a conflict of interest statement in the process, ensuring that the data used in appraisals is objective and unaltered. “Integrity is key,” she stated firmly. “Without it, the whole exercise loses its credibility.”
Our conversation shifted to the broader implications of these practices. Emily expressed optimism about the direction in which the construction industry is moving. “There’s a growing recognition that sustainability isn’t just a trend,” she noted. “It’s a necessity. And tools like BREEAM are leading the way by providing the methodologies and frameworks necessary to make meaningful progress.”
As we concluded our discussion, Emily left me with a thought-provoking insight. “Ultimately, what we’re doing is more than just building structures. We’re building a future. Every decision we make has a ripple effect, and it’s up to us to ensure those ripples lead to a more sustainable world.”
In the realm of sustainable construction, BREEAM and its advocates like Emily Harper are at the forefront of a movement that seeks to redefine how we build. By valuing the reuse and recycling of materials through rigorous options appraisal, the industry is taking significant strides towards a future where buildings are not only functional and beautiful but also sustainable and responsible.
Marcia Snyder
Be the first to comment