
PROPERTY LIFE CYCLE
Sustainability requires the effective performance of buildings over and above the regulatory requirements arising from changes in the Building Regulations. Methodologies such as BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are often used as the vehicle for achieving these improvements. However, these tools are largely environmentally focused, and it is important that the wider social and economic dimension of sustainability are also considered. More recently Passivhaus has emerged as a more integrated approach These issues should be addressed from an integrated perspective at an early stage in estate management and project inception. From a sustainability perspective, refurbishment projects are increasingly expected to achieve design standards expected of new build projects including:
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Improved quality and value for money;
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Reduced environmental impact and improved sustainability;
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Healthy, comfortable and safe internal and external environments that offer
high occupant satisfaction and productivity
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Low costs in use
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Flexible and future-proofed design.
Chartered Surveyors can advise on the integration of sustainability at each stage of the property life-cycle which includes:
1. Greenfield/estate management
2. Planning and procurement
3. New construction
4. Occupation and use (including
refurbishment and alterations)
5. Demolition and remediation.