News
The Future Homes Standard: Initial Reaction
Posted on October 4th 2019
The Future Homes Standard consultation was published this week. The proposals will significantly affect the development process introducing new cost pressures, technologies and design considerations. Our initial observations are as follows: The Government’s preferred option is for a 31% improvement over the current Part L standard through energy efficiency and technology improvements, increasing to a 75-80% improvement by 2025. The …
Welcoming new starters
Posted on September 25th 2019
We are delighted to have welcomed nine new people to our team over the course of 2019. The range of skills they bring significantly strengthens our capabilities and helps us continue to successfully support our clients in the delivery of their projects as we grow. Nikos and Jeremy have joined the Heat Networks team. Nikos brings expertise in heat network …
CEEQUAL – What’s new?
Posted on September 17th 2019
CEEQUAL version 6 was released in July 2019 with the intention of bringing together the methodologies of CEEQUAL and BREEAM Infrastructure. The new iteration combines the strong technical elements of BREEAM and builds upon the well proven processes of the CEEQUAL approach to assessment. CEEQUAL version 6 maintains the existing, successful elements of the long-standing CEEQUAL methodology, which has a …
Heat or Noise – Which would you choose?
Posted on September 11th 2019
The go to approach for a noise assessment is to keep windows closed to ensure internal noise levels meet British Standards. However, openable windows can help to mitigate overheating risks to CIBSE levels set out in TM59. Without careful consideration this presents an inherent conflict with residents left to choose between uncomfortable noise levels and uncomfortable living temperatures. The ANC’s …
Metering: if you can’t measure it you can’t improve it
Posted on September 11th 2019
Heat Networks are another area where the adage “if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it” holds true. Good metering facilitates accurate billing, protects revenue, assists in troubleshooting, allows monitoring and quantifies efficiency levels. The benefits are amplified in phased developments, where operational data from initial phases can and should inform the design and sizing of future ones. This …
BREEAM Infrastructure Certification for HS2
Posted on July 17th 2019
Costain-Skanska (CSJV) and their BREEAM Assessor Hodkinson Consultancy have recently submitted the BREEAM New Construction Infrastructure (Pilot) design assessment for HS2 Phase One, S1 and S2. This was supported by Arup, as part of a design house joint house venture with Typsa and Strabag. CSJV were responsible for all Early Works and Arup were responsible for all Main Civils Works. …
Tougher targets included in New European standard for the provision of daylight in buildings
Posted on July 15th 2019
The New European Daylight Standard EN 17037 will be adopted in UK by the end of 2019 and will supersede the British Standard BS 8206-2:2008 ‘‘Lighting for Buildings code of Practice for daylighting’’. A new BRE Guidance will be released early in 2020 to reflect this. All new requirements will need to be consistently applied to planning applications submitted after …
Learning from Building Performance Evaluation: Improving Build Quality and Customer Satisfaction
Posted on July 15th 2019
Understanding how dwellings perform in reality allows us to provide sophisticated advice and recommendations at the design stage. Performance verification enables a feedback loop for enhanced design, improved build quality and high levels of customer satisfaction. The process of learning how dwellings perform for the people who live in them is vital: For understanding what works well and what doesn’t …
Energy Storage – The Missing Link
Posted on July 15th 2019
The decarbonisation of energy use through a focus on cleaner generation sources can only reduce CO₂ emissions so far. In order to best utilise low carbon energy, strategies for new developments should consider the role of energy storage. This is not a new concept (Economy 7 storage heaters are a well-established form of storage), but the increasingly dynamic performance of …
BREEAM UK New Construction 2018 – BREEAM ‘Excellent’ more achievable?
Posted on June 12th 2019
To date, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) have appreciated that the mandatory energy requirements of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ acted as a barrier to many schemes being awarded a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Therefore, LPAs often set planning conditions at a ‘Very Good’ rating with endeavours to ‘Excellent’ for a range of schemes registered under BREEAM 2018. Going forward, we expect more LPAs to …