A Breath of Fresh Air: Navigating BREEAM’s Health and Wellbeing Criteria

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive guide to achieving excellent BREEAM ratings, focusing on the Health and Wellbeing criteria. It offers actionable steps, from understanding the criteria to implementing specific design and operational strategies. By following these tips, developers can create healthier, more sustainable buildings that benefit both occupants and the environment.

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Main Story

Achieving a high BREEAM rating requires a holistic approach to building design and operation. A key aspect of this is the Health and Wellbeing criteria, which focuses on creating spaces that promote occupant comfort, health, and overall satisfaction. This article provides a step-by-step guide to navigating these criteria and maximizing your BREEAM score.

Step 1: Understand the Criteria

Before embarking on your BREEAM journey, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the Health and Wellbeing criteria. These criteria encompass various aspects of occupant wellbeing, including:

• Indoor Air Quality: Ensuring adequate ventilation, minimizing pollutants, and monitoring indoor air quality are essential. Consider incorporating air filtration systems and using low-VOC emitting materials to enhance indoor air quality. Regular monitoring and maintenance of ventilation systems are also vital.

• Thermal Comfort: Maintaining a comfortable temperature range throughout the building is essential for occupant wellbeing. Strategies such as efficient HVAC systems, natural ventilation, and thermal insulation can help achieve this. Providing occupants with individual temperature controls can further enhance their comfort.

• Daylighting and Lighting: Maximizing natural daylight while minimizing glare is key to creating a pleasant and productive indoor environment. Consider the building’s orientation and window placement to optimize daylight penetration. Efficient artificial lighting systems with appropriate controls are also crucial for visual comfort.

• Acoustic Performance: Minimizing noise pollution from both internal and external sources is vital for creating a peaceful indoor environment. Use appropriate sound insulation materials and design strategies to mitigate noise transfer.

Step 2: Early Engagement with a BREEAM Assessor

Engaging a licensed BREEAM assessor early in the project is crucial for success. The assessor will provide expert guidance on the certification process, help set realistic targets, and offer tailored advice on meeting the specific Health and Wellbeing criteria. They can also help identify potential challenges and develop strategies to overcome them.

Step 3: Implement Design Strategies

Incorporating Health and Wellbeing considerations into the building design from the outset is paramount. Consider the following design strategies:

• Natural Ventilation: Utilize natural ventilation where appropriate to improve indoor air quality and reduce reliance on mechanical systems.

• Biophilic Design: Incorporate natural elements such as plants and natural materials to create a connection with nature, promoting occupant wellbeing.

• Active Design: Encourage physical activity through design features such as strategically placed staircases and accessible outdoor spaces.

• Occupant Controls: Provide occupants with control over their environment, such as individual temperature and lighting controls, to enhance their comfort and satisfaction.

Step 4: Monitor and Maintain

Post-construction, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to ensure the building continues to meet the Health and Wellbeing criteria. Regularly inspect and maintain ventilation systems, monitor indoor air quality, and ensure that lighting and thermal comfort systems are functioning optimally.

Step 5: Stay Up-to-Date

BREEAM standards are continuously evolving to reflect best practices and incorporate new research. Stay informed about the latest BREEAM requirements and updates to ensure your building remains compliant and continues to achieve high ratings. Regularly consult with your BREEAM assessor and stay abreast of industry publications and resources.

By following these steps and incorporating the Health and Wellbeing criteria into every stage of the building lifecycle, developers can create sustainable, healthy, and productive environments that benefit both occupants and the planet.