BREEAM New Construction 2011 has increased the credits available for life-cycle analysis from 2 to 3. This is an important recognition of the importance and benefits
of life-cycle analysis, in delivering improved design, costs, operational and sustainable performance.
With the increase in credits comes a clear statement on the required approach to the analysis and the evidence required to support the award of the credits (summarised overleaf). Gavin Ogg of the Gardiner & Theobald Life-Cycle Costing & FM Team commented, “We welcome the new guidance from BREEAM, which makes it more important than ever that all design team members embrace the concept and have clarity of the analysis requirements early on in the design process. This will ensure that the award of the credits, and importantly the benefits of the analysis are not compromised.”
The benefits of a robust life-cycle analysis conducted throughout design development are significant, but can be compromised by a lack of understanding of the process. Whilst arriving at a design solution that meets the capital funding constraints for any new facility is obviously important; the downside of solely focussing on this, in terms of life-cycle cost and sustainability credentials, can be significant. This combined with incorrect assumptions of the life-cycle cost benefits of one design solution over another can and do lead to decisions being made which do not stand up to scrutiny when actual life-cycle cost analysis is undertaken.
Gardiner & Theobald have invested significantly in the development of tools and methodology to support the attainment of the 3 BREEAM life-cycle credits. We can support our clients through the process in an efficient manner, making the attainment of the 3 BREEAM life-cycle credits an attractive and cost effective proposition, not forgetting the long term benefits of adopting a truly whole-life approach to building design.
