Is BREEAM all its cracked up to be?

So what’s wrong with this approach? … well, it’s purely a box-ticking approach. It disregards which credits are worthwhile and which are less so. 

How should the industry approach BREEAM?… we should pick out the most impactful credits first. Focus on squeezing those credit pips. Then focus on the less impactful credits. For example, credit Eng.01 is the energy efficiency credit. This is hugely important to us at V7 and we would put it at the top of the list. It’s also the credit that occupiers talk about most! (Albeit they know it as a subject, rather than a specific credit). It also carries 9 points so it’s weighty!

What are the most important credits from a occupier’s perspective?… in short, most occupiers don’t talk the BREEAM credit language, however we ask every occupier that views one of our buildings for their views and believe the occupiers’ top 5 are as follows:

• Energy efficiency - this translates into “cheap running costs” - credit Ene.01 (9 points)

• Fresh air - this ensures staff don’t get lethargic in a stuffy office – credit Hea.2 (1 credits)

• Recycling – ensuring office waste doesn’t go straight to landfill – credit Wst.3 (1 credit)

• Sustainable Transport Measures – how workers can be more efficient when travelling to the building. Providing EV Charging etc. – Credit Tra.2 (10 credits)

• Water Consumption – efficient use of water – credit Wat.1 (5 points)