Discovering BREEAM: the method for evaluating and certifying buildings based on their sustainable environmental performance
BREEAM, what?
The BREEAM, namely the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is a method for certifying buildings/infrastructures. It's about the the most common building certification in the world. Its objective is to guarantee the high environmental performance of buildings and infrastructures throughout their life, from their design to their destruction.
This means that BREEAM certified buildings are buildings that offer more sustainable environments that improve the well-being of people (who live or work there), helping to protect natural resources and making real estate investments more attractive.
There are several references (technical standards) depending on the project.
The guidelines can be found here!
Certification & evaluation criteria.
The certification will depend on several criteria relating to different themes following:
- Energy
- Health and wellness
- Materials
- Pollution
- Innovation
- Transport
- Operations Management
- Land use and ecology
- Waste
- Water
Based on the criteria achieved, an overall score determining the level of environmental performance of the building (Outstanding, Excellent, Very Good, Good & Pass) is then certified.
And ABV in all of this?
Obtaining a BREEAM certification implies calling on experts in mobility, energy, waste, hydrology, biodiversity, acoustics,... So many skills present within ABV!
Want to know more? It's time to talk about it!