BREEAM Certification: A Guide

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive guide to achieving BREEAM certification, covering key steps from choosing the right scheme to incorporating innovative solutions. It emphasizes the importance of early BREEAM integration and collaboration with professionals for maximizing sustainability and achieving higher ratings. By following these steps, developers can create environmentally friendly buildings and contribute to a greener future.

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** Main Story**

Alright, let’s talk about BREEAM. Getting that certification is a big deal; it shows you’re serious about sustainability and building green. It’s not just a feel-good thing either, it can seriously boost your project’s value. So, how do you actually navigate the process and get a good rating? Let’s break it down.

First Things First: Understanding BREEAM

Before diving in, you’ve gotta get what BREEAM is all about. Think of it as a globally recognized yardstick for measuring how sustainable a building is. It’s the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, by the way. BREEAM looks at everything, like energy use, water efficiency, the materials you pick, how you handle waste, and, importantly, how good the indoor environment is for the people using the building. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about creating a better building, end of.

Picking the Right Scheme

Here’s a thing, BREEAM isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. They’ve got different schemes depending on the type of building you’re working on and where you are in the project. So, you need to pick the one that fits, you see?

• New Construction: Obvious one, right? For new builds.
• In-Use: This one’s for checking out how well existing buildings are performing. Useful if you want to benchmark and improve an older property.
• Refurbishment & Fit-Out: Renovating? Fitting out a space? This is your scheme.
• Communities: Planning a whole new community? Yeah, they’ve got a BREEAM for that too.

Get an Assessor on Board, ASAP

Seriously, don’t skip this step. Getting a qualified BREEAM assessor early on is like having a seasoned guide through the whole process. They know the ins and outs, they can spot potential problems before they become major headaches, and they can suggest smart solutions. It’s an investment that pays off. Plus, they’ll make sure you’re not, you know, completely missing the point.

Design with BREEAM in Mind from Day One

This is crucial and I can’t stress it enough. Don’t wait until the building is almost done to start thinking about BREEAM. Integrate those considerations into the design brief right from the start. Get your design team involved in sustainable design practices. It’s way easier (and cheaper) to build sustainably from the ground up than to try and retrofit later. Trust me; I learned that the hard way on a project a few years back. We ended up having to rip out and replace a whole section of ductwork because it wasn’t energy efficient enough. A costly mistake, indeed.

Focus on the Big Wins

Alright, all BREEAM categories matter, but some will give you a bigger bang for your buck. These are the areas to really focus on:

• Energy: Think super-efficient HVAC systems, integrating renewable energy sources like solar panels. Every little helps, doesn’t it?
• Materials: Go for sustainable, locally sourced materials. Stuff with a low environmental footprint. It’s not just about being green; it’s about supporting local economies too.
• Waste: Have a solid waste management plan, both during construction and when the building’s up and running. Reduce, reuse, recycle – you know the drill.
• Health and Wellbeing: This is huge. Good ventilation, plenty of natural light, comfortable temperatures. Happy occupants are productive occupants and that’s good for business, right?

Don’t Be Afraid to Innovate

BREEAM loves innovation. Come up with creative solutions that go beyond the usual sustainable practices. Think outside the box. Maybe it’s a cutting-edge technology, a really clever design idea, or a groundbreaking environmental strategy. Just make sure you document it properly, so you get the extra credits you deserve.

Think Long Term: Lifecycle Assessment

Take a good, hard look at the long-term environmental impact of your design choices and material selections. A lifecycle assessment can help you spot areas where you can improve and reduce the building’s overall environmental footprint. It’s not just about the initial cost; it’s about the total cost over the building’s lifespan.

Embrace Smart Tech

Smart building systems are your friend. Automation technologies can seriously boost your BREEAM rating. They optimize energy use, improve indoor air quality, and generally make the building perform better. I’m talking about things like:

• Occupancy sensors for lighting and HVAC. No point in wasting energy when nobody’s around, is there?
• Smart meters for tracking energy use in real-time. What you can measure, you can manage.
• Automated shading systems to control daylight and temperature. A little bit of sunshine can do a whole lot, I’m sure you’ll agree.

User Experience Matters

Don’t forget the people who will actually be using the building. Their well-being and comfort are crucial. Make sure there’s good lighting, clean air, and ergonomic spaces. A happy, healthy user is a productive user, and it also makes your building more valuable and marketable.

So, there you have it. By following these steps, you can create a building that’s not only environmentally friendly but also a great place to be. BREEAM isn’t just a checklist; it’s a pathway to a more sustainable future, you know? And, who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?