Summary
This article provides a comprehensive guide to achieving BREEAM certification, focusing on the crucial role of people-led design. It outlines actionable steps, from understanding BREEAM criteria to incorporating sustainable materials and technologies. By prioritizing occupant well-being and environmental performance, projects can maximize their BREEAM rating and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
Discover how Focus360 Energy can help with BREEAM certification.
** Main Story**
Unlocking BREEAM Excellence: It’s All About the People
BREEAM, or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, certification is the gold standard globally for proving your building is sustainable. Getting a high BREEAM rating shows you’re serious about environmental responsibility and, crucially, the well-being of the people using the space. But how do you actually achieve that top rating? Let’s dive into a practical, people-first approach.
Step 1: Know Your BREEAM Inside Out
First things first, you need to become intimately familiar with the BREEAM scheme that applies to your project. New builds? Existing structures? A renovation? Each has its own set of rules. You’ve got to nail down the specific criteria and the scoring system for your situation. Think of it as laying the foundation for your entire BREEAM strategy. The BREEAM website and Green Book Live are your best friends here, packed with invaluable info. It’s definitely worth spending some time familiarising yourself with the documentation.
Step 2: Get a BREEAM Assessor On Board, Stat!
A licensed BREEAM Assessor is your expert guide through this whole process, and their involvement early on is key. I mean, really key. You want them there from the start, helping you integrate BREEAM requirements into the design, construction, and even the operational phases. They can do pre-assessments, point out areas where you can improve, and generally help you navigate what can be a pretty complex assessment process. I once saw a project team try to cut corners by bringing in an assessor late – trust me, it didn’t end well, costing them time and money in the long run.
Step 3: People, People, People: Prioritizing Human-Centric Design
Okay, this is where the “people-first” part really kicks in. You absolutely must put occupant well-being at the heart of your design. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about creating a space where people actually thrive. So, what does that look like?
- Indoor Environmental Quality: Think tons of natural light, top-notch ventilation, and minimising noise. Seriously, nobody wants to work in a dimly lit, stuffy, noisy box, do they? These things affect productivity and overall health.
- Thermal Comfort: No one likes being too hot or too cold in their work environment! Design smart heating and cooling systems that keep the temperature just right all year long, taking into account that people have different preferences. You can’t please everyone, but you can aim for a comfortable average.
- Accessibility and Ergonomics: This is non-negotiable. Your spaces need to be accessible to everyone, and promote good posture and physical well-being. Invest in ergonomic furniture and think about the flow of the space. Small changes can make a big difference.
- Biophilic Design: This is my personal favourite. Bring the outside in! Plants, water features, natural materials… these things make a huge difference to how people feel in a space. It’s about connecting people to nature, even indoors.
Step 4: Sustainable Materials and Tech: Go Green or Go Home!
Choose materials with the smallest environmental footprint possible, and always think about their entire lifecycle, from where they come from to what happens to them when they’re no longer needed. Use recycled and recyclable stuff whenever you can. And then there’s the tech:
- HVAC Systems: Go for high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. They might cost a bit more upfront, but they’ll save you big bucks on energy bills down the road.
- Lighting: Ditch the old incandescent bulbs and embrace LEDs. Smart lighting controls are also a great idea – they automatically adjust the lighting based on occupancy and daylight levels.
- Renewable Energy Sources: If it’s feasible, explore solar panels or geothermal energy. It’s a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and boost your BREEAM score. Plus it will lower overheads.
Step 5: Water and Waste: The Less, the Better
Develop water-saving strategies across the board. Install water-efficient faucets, toilets, and appliances, and consider harvesting rainwater or recycling greywater. But that’s not all! Implement smart waste management plans for both the construction phase and the building’s ongoing operation. Reduce waste, reuse what you can, and recycle like your BREEAM score depends on it – because it does!
Step 6: Life Cycle Assessment: Know Your Impact
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is crucial. It figures out the environmental impact of your building over its entire lifespan. This helps you pinpoint where you can make improvements to reduce your embodied and operational carbon emissions. LCAs are incredibly useful for getting a higher BREEAM score and making your building more environmentally friendly.
Step 7: Don’t Stop There: Continuous Improvement Is Key
Getting BREEAM certification isn’t a “one and done” kind of deal. You need to keep monitoring and improving your building’s performance after you’re certified. Regularly review your sustainability strategies and technologies and update them as needed. And, most importantly, get the people who use the building involved in your sustainability efforts. Foster a culture of environmental responsibility and they will become your biggest advocates.
Ultimately, a high BREEAM rating isn’t just about the certification itself, it’s about creating buildings that are good for the planet and great for the people inside. So, think of BREEAM not as a burden, but as an opportunity to build a better, healthier future, it’s worth it I promise you.
Going green or going home? Love the commitment! But what happens when working from home? Does my home office need BREEAM certification now? Suddenly feeling the pressure to install solar panels…
That’s a great point about working from home! While BREEAM certification isn’t typically for individual home offices, adopting BREEAM principles in our homes, like energy efficiency and good ventilation, can definitely boost our well-being and reduce our environmental impact. Perhaps a future standard?
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
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The emphasis on people-first design is spot on. Prioritizing occupant well-being through indoor environmental quality, accessibility and biophilic design not only boosts BREEAM scores but also fosters healthier, more productive spaces.
Thanks for highlighting the importance of people-first design! It’s often overlooked, but as you mentioned, focusing on occupant well-being through elements like IEQ and biophilic design has a tangible impact on productivity and overall success in achieving a top BREEAM rating. Let’s continue to push for designs that prioritize people and planet!
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
Thank you to our Sponsor Focus 360 Energy
The point about continuous improvement post-certification is critical. How can building management systems and real-time data analytics be best leveraged to maintain and even improve BREEAM ratings over the long term, ensuring sustained environmental and occupant benefits?
That’s a fantastic question! Building management systems and real-time data are key. Integrating them allows for continuous monitoring of energy use, IEQ, and other factors. This data-driven approach not only helps maintain BREEAM standards, but also identifies areas for further optimization and improvement, ultimately benefiting both the environment and occupants. Let’s explore some examples!
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Prioritising people *and* plants? Sounds like we need to issue everyone a little spade and watering can on move-in day! Maybe a mandatory “talk to your ficus” hour? Just brainstorming here…
Love the idea of a ‘talk to your ficus’ hour! Encouraging interaction with biophilic elements could be a fun way to boost well-being and reinforce the importance of connecting with nature in our workspaces. Imagine the team-building opportunities! What a great way to reduce stress and boost productivity, while achieving top BREEAM standards.
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
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Prioritising people is a great start. But what about the office pets? Do they get a say in the thermal comfort levels, or are they stuck shivering under desks during winter? Perhaps a BREEAM for Beasts is the next logical step?
That’s a hilarious and insightful point! A BREEAM for Beasts! I love it. Maybe designated napping zones with controlled climates are the future of office design? Ensuring happy and productive employees (and pets!) is the goal. Let’s make it happen!
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
Thank you to our Sponsor Focus 360 Energy
The emphasis on integrating biophilic design is inspiring. How can we best measure the impact of such features on occupants’ mental and physical well-being, and translate those findings into quantifiable BREEAM credits?
That’s a fantastic question! I think we can best measure the impact through a combination of pre and post occupancy surveys, physiological monitoring, and performance metrics, all cross-referenced for accuracy. These are then readily converted into tangible BREEAM credits, providing a win-win situation for both occupants and the environment.
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
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Prioritizing people is great, but can we install nap pods with adjustable lighting for those post-lunch productivity dips? Think of the BREEAM innovation points!
That’s a fantastic idea! Nap pods could be a real game-changer for employee wellbeing and productivity, aligning perfectly with a people-first approach. Adjustable lighting is a must! I wonder what other innovative wellness features could contribute to BREEAM innovation points? Let’s explore!
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
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Water-efficient faucets and appliances – because nobody wants to feel guilty about that extra-long shower. But, seriously, could we extend the same principles to our gardens? Sustainable landscaping for BREEAM points, anyone? Less watering, more well-being!
Great point! Sustainable landscaping is definitely an area ripe for further exploration within BREEAM. Imagine drought-resistant planting combined with smart irrigation systems – not only good for the environment, but a beautiful, relaxing view for occupants! It’s a win-win scenario. What plant choices might best contribute to biodiversity and occupant well-being?
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
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The point about prioritising people is vital. It’s interesting to consider how WELL Building Standard principles, especially around air and water quality, could integrate with BREEAM to create even healthier and more productive environments.
Great point! Exploring the integration of WELL Building Standard principles with BREEAM is a fantastic idea. Combining the strengths of both could truly revolutionize how we approach holistic building design. Perhaps shared data platforms and cross-certification schemes would streamline this process and promote wider adoption? What are your thoughts?
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Given the emphasis on sustainable materials, are there specific lifecycle assessment tools or databases that have proven most effective in identifying and selecting environmentally preferable options for BREEAM projects?
That’s a great question! Several tools and databases are indeed very helpful. The ICE database is often mentioned for embodied carbon data. Also, tools like SimaPro or GaBi are popular for conducting full LCAs. Exploring industry-specific databases and EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) can provide more detailed insights into the impacts of different materials. What other resources have you found useful in your projects?
Editor: FocusNews.Uk
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The article rightly emphasizes the importance of occupant well-being for BREEAM. Beyond initial design, how can we best ensure that ongoing building operations and maintenance continue to support IEQ, thermal comfort, and other key factors contributing to occupant satisfaction?