BREEAM: The Key to Sustainable Building Design and Operation

As awareness about the importance of sustainability grows, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact. One way to do this is by using the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) to evaluate buildings’ sustainability.

BREEAM was first introduced in 1990 and has since become one of the most widely used methods for assessing building sustainability worldwide. It is a comprehensive method that evaluates various aspects of a building’s design, construction, and operation. These aspects include energy use, water consumption, waste management, ecology, pollution levels, transport accessibility, materials used in construction, and indoor air quality.

BREEAM rates buildings on a scale from “pass” to “outstanding.” The higher the rating achieved by a building means it has been designed with environmentally friendly features that not only help reduce its carbon footprint but also promote sustainable living practices.

Here are some key things you should know about BREEAM:

1. BREEAM can be applied to different types of buildings: residential homes (including blocks of flats), commercial offices or industrial units; hospitals or schools.

2. There are specific versions of BREEAM for different regions such as Europe (Europe-wide version), UK New Construction (for new-build projects), UK Refurbishment & Fit-Outs (for existing buildings undergoing refurbishment).

3. Several factors influence a building’s score under BREEAM – including energy efficiency measures like insulation or low-carbon heating systems; renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines; sustainable transport options like bike storage facilities or carpooling schemes.

4. Buildings rated “outstanding” under BREEAM have demonstrated absolute excellence in terms of their environmental performance across all criteria assessed.

5. A high rating under BREEAM makes it easier for developers to secure financing/investments from banks/other investors who prioritize investments in eco-friendly properties.

In conclusion, we cannot overstate enough the importance of sustainable living and how BREEAM can help in achieving this goal. By promoting environmentally friendly design, construction, and operation of buildings, we can all contribute to a greener future.