The sustainability credentials of all buildings are coming under ever greater scrutiny. The Building Research Establishment (BRE) programmes for assessing the overall sustainability of a building offer the most comprehensive and recognised system of assessment resulting in a single environmental rating score.

The two systems common in the UK are BREEAM which includes commercial buildings, and The Code for Sustainable Homes. These schemes provide a relatively crude measure of the environmental performance of a building and the design should be considered from first principles rather than dictated by the needs of a particular environmental scheme. However the BRE schemes offer a genuine and considered attempt to measure the various factors that contribute to the overall environmental sustainability of the building.

The BRE offer a variety of schemes to suit the building type under consideration including retail, commercial, industrial and refurbishment in addition to new build projects. These score the environmental credentials of the building under a number of environmental categories. These include:

• Water Management
• Transport
• Material Selection and Procurement
• Waste
• Project Management
• Energy
• Ecology and Land Use
• Pollution
• Surface Water Design
• Innovation
• Health and Wellbeing

The assessment is usually completed in three stages to suit the progress of the building design and construction as follows:

Pre-assessment Stage: A preliminary analysis reviewing the likely rating for the building based on the design intent and proposed procurement route. This exercise can provide an early review of the likely building performance and set the agenda for design development targets. No formal design evidence gathering is required but the results at this stage can be used to support a planning application

Design and Procurement Stage: This stage requires the preparation and submission of a formal report to the BRE. Evidence in the form of drawings, specifications, and so on is required to confirm the design and procurement proposals and these are assessed to prepare the formal report. The building rating is confirmed and an interim certificate can be obtained from the BRE.

Post Construction Review : Optional prior to August 2008 this assessment stage is now mandatory for all new schemes. Evidence must be provided during the construction stage to demonstrate that the intent set out in the design and procurement stage report has been enacted. Regular review by the assessor, including site visits is recommended to ensure the project remains on track to achieve the environmental rating. A formal report is prepared at practical completion and submitted to the BRE. The building rating is confirmed and a final certificate can be obtained.