Building Optimization for BREEAM

Summary

Optimize building orientation, layout, and envelope for BREEAM certification. Maximize natural light and ventilation, prioritize energy efficiency, and choose sustainable materials. Enhance your building’s performance and achieve BREEAM excellence.

Discover how Focus360 Energy can help with BREEAM certification.

** Main Story**

Achieving BREEAM certification requires a holistic approach to building design and construction. One crucial aspect is optimizing the building’s orientation, layout, and envelope to minimize environmental impact and maximize occupant well-being. By following the steps below, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving BREEAM excellence.

Step 1: Prioritize Early Engagement and Planning

Engage a BREEAM assessor early in the design process. Their expertise is invaluable for identifying opportunities and avoiding costly retrofits. Conduct a BREEAM feasibility study to understand the specific requirements and potential credits for your project. Develop a detailed plan that incorporates BREEAM criteria from the outset. Early planning enables exploring and costing innovative sustainable solutions, thus optimizing material selection and construction techniques.

Step 2: Optimize Building Orientation

The correct orientation is paramount for energy efficiency and daylighting. Position the building to maximize south-facing exposure (in the Northern Hemisphere) to harness solar gain during winter, while minimizing east and west exposures to reduce excessive heat during summer. Model the building’s performance with different orientations to determine the ideal balance of natural light and thermal comfort.

Step 3: Design an Efficient Building Layout

Design spaces to promote natural ventilation and daylight penetration, minimizing the need for artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation. Incorporate cross-ventilation principles by positioning windows and openings on opposite sides of a space. Utilize the stack effect to enhance natural airflow. Consider using atriums, light shelves, and clerestory windows to distribute daylight deeper into the building while minimizing glare. Prioritize building user well-being by designing for natural lighting and acoustic performance.

Step 4: Create a High-Performance Building Envelope

A well-designed envelope is crucial for energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. Specify a continuous insulation layer to reduce thermal bridging, which limits unwanted heat transfer. Choose high-performance windows and doors with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and proper sealing to minimize heat loss or gain and maximize natural light. Select materials with high thermal mass, such as concrete or brick, to store and release heat, thus regulating indoor temperatures and further reducing energy consumption. Secure an airtight construction to prevent air leakage, optimizing heating and cooling efficiency. Consider using double-skin facades for enhanced insulation, ventilation, and solar control.

Step 5: Select Sustainable Materials

Prioritize sustainable materials, with a focus on their embodied carbon and lifecycle impacts. Choose materials with recycled content and ensure they are responsibly sourced. Specify low-impact materials such as bamboo or reclaimed wood where appropriate. Design for durability and consider future deconstruction and material reuse. Incorporate urban greening solutions such as green roofs to enhance climate change resilience and gain extra credits. Opt for materials with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) whenever possible. Design for flexibility and adaptability to future needs.

Step 6: Monitor and Document

Throughout the construction phase, maintain clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders to ensure BREEAM requirements are met. Keep thorough records of all material selections and construction processes. Meticulously document all evidence to demonstrate compliance with BREEAM criteria. Conduct regular inspections and testing to verify performance. Submit complete and accurate documentation to your BREEAM assessor on time.

By following these steps, you can optimize your building’s design, maximize its performance, and achieve BREEAM certification. Remember, achieving BREEAM excellence enhances a building’s market value, reduces operational costs, and contributes to a healthier environment. Building sustainably is a continuous journey of innovation and improvement, leading to both environmental and economic benefits.