Man01 - Project brief and design – Above Green

(4 credits available)

Aim

To recognise and encourage an integrated design process that optimises building performance.

Assessment criteria

This issue is split into two parts:

Stakeholder consultation (2 credits)
Sustainability champion (2 credits)

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

One credit - Stakeholder consultation (project delivery)

A clear sustainability brief is developed prior to completion of the concept design which sets out:

1.a

Client requirements, e.g. internal environmental conditions required

1.b

Sustainability objectives and targets including target BREEAM rating, business objectives etc.

1.c

Timescales and budget

1.d

List of consultees and professional appointments that may be required, e.g. Suitably Qualified Acoustician (SQA) etc.

1.e

Constraints for the project, e.g. technical, legal, physical, environmental.

Prior to completion of the concept design, the project delivery stakeholders (see Relevant definitions) have met to identify and define their roles, responsibilities and contributions for each of the key phases of project delivery.

In defining the roles and responsibilities for each key phase of the project, the following must be considered:

3.a

End user requirements

3.b

Aims of the design and design strategy

3.c

Particular installation and construction requirements and limitations

3.d

Design and construction risk assessments, e.g. national health and safety regulations or best practice, legionella risk assessment

3.e

Legislative requirements, e.g. local building regulations, heritage requirements

3.f

Procurement and supply chain

3.g

Identifying and measuring project success in line with project brief objectives

3.h

Occupiers' budget and technical expertise in maintaining any proposed systems

3.i

Maintainability and adaptability of the proposals

3.j

Requirements for the production of project and end user documentation

3.k

Requirements for commissioning, training and aftercare support.

The project team demonstrate how the project delivery stakeholder contributions and the outcomes of the consultation process have influenced or changed the initial project brief. This includes, if appropriate, the project execution plan, communication strategy, and the concept design.

One credit - Stakeholder consultation (third party)

Prior to completion of the concept design work stage, all relevant third party stakeholders have been consulted by the design team and this covers the minimum consultation content (see CN3).

The project must demonstrate how the stakeholder contributions and outcomes of the consultation exercise have influenced or changed the initial project brief and concept design.

Prior to completion of the detailed design, consultation feedback has been given to, and received by, all relevant parties.

Additionally for Education only:

The consultation exercise used a method carried out by an independent party (see Relevant definitions).

One credit - Sustainability champion (design)

A sustainability champion has been appointed to facilitate the setting and achievement of BREEAM performance targets for the project. The design stage sustainability champion is appointed to perform this role during the feasibility (Preparation and Brief) stage.

The defined BREEAM performance targets have been formally agreed (see Relevant definitions) between the client and design or project team no later than the concept design work stage.

To achieve this credit at the interim design stage assessment, the agreed BREEAM performance targets must be demonstrably achieved by the project design. This must be demonstrated via the BREEAM Assessor's design stage assessment report.

One credit - Sustainability champion (monitoring progress)

The credit for sustainability champion (design) (criteria 9 to 11 ) has been achieved.

A sustainability champion is appointed to monitor progress against the agreed BREEAM performance targets throughout the design process and formally report progress to the client and design team.

The sustainability champion must attend key project and design team meetings during the concept design, developed design and technical design work stages (see Relevant definitions). Reporting must be carried out during and prior to completion of each stage, as a minimum.

Checklists and tables

None.

Compliance notes

Ref	Terms	Description
Shell and core (non-residential and residential institutions only)
CN1	Applicable assessment criteria	Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix D – Shell and core project assessments for a more detailed description of the shell and core assessment options.
Residential - Partially fitted and fully fitted
CN2	Applicable assessment criteria - Single dwellings	Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. See CN2.2 for more detail on the sustainability champion role. Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options.
CN2.1	Applicable assessment criteria - Multiple dwellings	Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options.
CN2.2	Sustainability champion for single dwellings	For single dwellings a BREEAM International New Construction Assessor can act as the Sustainability champion. In this situation it will still be necessary to manage any conflicts of interest that could arise.
General
CN3	Minimum consultation content. See criterion 5 .	Minimum consultation content will be dependent on the building and scope of the project, but would typically include the following: Functionality, build quality and impact (including aesthetics) Provision of appropriate internal and external facilities (for future building occupants, visitors and users) Management and operational implications Maintenance resources implications Impacts on the local community, e.g. local traffic and transport impacts Opportunities for shared use of facilities and infrastructure with the community and appropriate stakeholders, if relevant and appropriate to the building type Compliance with statutory (national or local) consultation requirements Inclusive and accessible design In the case of educational building types, minimum content also includes: How the building and grounds could best be designed to facilitate learning Where the scope of works involves changes to the internal layout and function, the consultation considers how the design can best provide a range of social spaces appropriate to the needs of pupils, students and other users. In the case of building types containing technical areas or functions, e.g. laboratories, workshops etc., minimum content also includes: The end users' broad requirements for such facilities, including appropriate sizing, optimisation and integration of equipment and systems.
CN3.1	Assessing and awarding the available credits for a sustainability champion	There is an additional credit for appointing a sustainability champion during the construction and handover phase (see BREEAM issue Man 03 Responsible construction practices). The aim of the credit in Man 03 Responsible construction practices is to encourage and reward contractors and project teams that appoint a sustainability champion and therefore ensure continuation of the sustainability objectives during the construction phase, and that the constructed building meets the client's target BREEAM rating.
CN3.2	BREEAM-related performance targets. See criteria 9 to 13 .	If the BREEAM-related performance targets set at the end of the Concept Design stage have not been achieved at the post-construction stage assessment, the credits awarded at the interim design stage assessment for appointing the sustainability champion must be withheld in the final assessment (see Relevant definitions).
CN3.3	National health and safety regulations and best practice	Where there are no national health and safety regulations in the country of assessment, evidence is required to demonstrate that EITHER: The principal contractor has an occupational health and safety management system compliant with OHSAS 18001:2007 OR The works will be carried out in accordance with the International Labour Association's Safety and health in construction Code of Practice.

Methodology

None.

Evidence

Criteria	Interim design stage	Final post-construction stage
Stakeholder consultation
1–8	A list of the stakeholders consulted. A consultation plan setting out the process and the scope of the consultation. Agenda or minutes from consultation meetings. Documentation demonstrating consultation feedback and subsequent actions.	As design stage.
Sustainability champion credits
9–14	The sustainability champion appointment letter. Relevant section or clauses of the building specification or contract. Project programme indicating the dates by which the key work stages (Preparation and design) are to be completed. Meeting notes or minutes, recorded correspondence or schedules that can demonstrate BREEAM issues are a regular agenda item and sustainability champion attendance. The sustainability champion progress report (for each work stage). Design stage BREEAM assessment report.	As design stage, plus the final post-construction assessment report.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP)

An individual trained and qualified by BRE as a specialist in built environment sustainability, environmental design and assessment. The role of the BREEAM AP is to facilitate the project team's efforts to successfully schedule activities, set priorities and negotiate the trade-offs required to achieve a target BREEAM rating when the design is formally assessed. Only qualified individuals who are members of BRE's associated membership scheme comply with the BREEAM requirements. This membership ensures an adequate level of competence is maintained through regular continuing professional development (CPD) in key relevant areas. For a list and contact details of BREEAM APs, visit: www.greenbooklive.com.

BREEAM-related performance targets

BREEAM performance targets refer specifically to the BREEAM rating and minimum standards required. This does not necessarily include individual targeted BREEAM issues or credits, which may be traded over the course of the project as it evolves. In agreeing a BREEAM target, it is recommended that individual BREEAM issues, credits and criteria are targeted or prioritised. This is to ensure that the agreed target is achievable and achieved without potentially costly alterations to the design at a later stage.

Concept design

The concept design work stage includes the development of strategies and outline proposals for site planning, built form, structural design, building services systems, outline specifications and preliminary cost information.

Communication strategy

The communication strategy is defined as a strategy that sets out when the project team will meet, how they will communicate effectively, and the protocols for issuing information between the various parties, both informally and at information exchanges.

Consultation feedback

This is feedback which focuses on the stakeholder suggestions, comments, recommendations and the consultation outcomes. This includes how the suggestions and outcomes influenced, or resulted in modifications to, the proposed design and building operation and use.

Developed design

The developed design work stage includes the coordination and updating of proposals for structural design, building services systems, outline specifications, cost information and project strategies.

Facilities management

EN 15221-1:2006 states that facilities management is the integration of processes within an organisation to maintain and develop the agreed services which support and improve the effectiveness of its primary activities. For the purposes of the assessment, the term 'agreed services' is taken to mean those relating to the maintenance and management of the building, its services and surroundings, including the interaction with related activities within, and users of, the building.

Formally agreed

The term 'formally agreed' relates to BREEAM performance targets. Examples of formal agreements include a contract or letters of appointment with the architect and other relevant project team members.

Independent party (see criterion 8 )

To comply with criterion 8, relating to the use of an independent party, the client or design team needs to demonstrate EITHER of the following options:

They have used a party independent of the design process to conduct the necessary consultation exercise, using a compliant method OR
If the consultation is to be carried out by an organisation involved with the design of the building, e.g. the project architect, then they must present the assessor with evidence that robustly demonstrates the independence of the consultation process. BREEAM has not attempted to define what form this evidence must take. The onus is on the design team or relevant individual to clearly demonstrate to the BREEAM Assessor a credible level of independence.

Key design team meetings

Key design team meetings can be defined as those where fundamental decisions that influence or affect the building's proposed design and its construction in accordance with the design (and therefore the building's sustainability impacts and BREEAM performance), are discussed and made. These meetings would typically include representatives from at least three of the parties listed below:

Representatives of the client or developer
The principal contractor
The architect
Structural engineers
Building services engineers
Cost consultants
Environmental consultants
Project management consultants.

Key phases

The definition of key phases of project delivery includes the following:

Concept design
Developed design
Construction
Commissioning and handover
In-use occupation.

Project delivery stakeholders

The purpose of criterion 1 is to reflect the need to consider the input of all the major project stakeholders from the earliest practical stage. This is to ensure smooth and successful delivery of the project's sustainability objectives. Project delivery stakeholders therefore include the client, the building occupier (where known), the design team and the principal contractor. With regards to contractors' involvement, it ensures their input in terms of formulating sustainable design solutions, commenting on the practicality and buildability of (one or more) design solutions and their impact on programming, costs etc. BREEAM recognises that traditionally for some projects, the contractor for the works might not be appointed at the early stages of the project and therefore compliance with criterion 1 would not be possible. In these instances, criterion 1 will be met provided that a suitably experienced person with substantial construction or contracting experience in similar projects is involved prior to appointment of the contractor. A suitably experienced person could be a contractor appointed as a consultant for this stage or a construction project manager.

Project execution plan

The project execution plan is defined as a plan produced in collaboration between the project lead and lead designer, with contributions from other designers and members of the project team. The project execution plan sets out the processes and protocols to be used to develop the design. It is sometimes referred to as a 'project quality plan'.

Relevant third parties (see criterion 5 )

This includes, but is not limited to the following:

Actual or intended building users (if known) including facilities management (FM) staff or those responsible for the day-to-day operation of the building and grounds
A representative consultation group from the existing community (if the building is a new development in an existing community) or for a community still under construction
Existing partnerships and networks that have knowledge of, and experience of working on, existing buildings of the same type
Potential users of any shared facilities, e.g. operators of clubs and community groups

AND the following where relevant:

In educational buildings, representatives from the local education authority, school board etc.
Local or national historic or heritage groups (over and above any requirements relating to statutory consultees)
Specialist service and maintenance contractors and representatives where the building function has particular technical requirements in complex environments, e.g. buildings containing laboratories.

Sustainability champion (design and monitoring progress)

Members of formal schemes approved by BRE Global in connection with the provision of design advice.

Providers of schemes or qualifications not listed, who feel their members meet this definition and who would like to be listed as approved membership schemes, should contact BRE Global.

At present the following schemes are deemed to satisfy this requirement:

BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) Membership Scheme.

Sustainability Champions are trained and qualified to provide BREEAM-related advice to the design team. They are able to facilitate timely and successful target setting, scheduling, prioritisation and monitoring of BREEAM compliance relating to the design of the building. They will be subject to ongoing training and competency requirements to ensure that their knowledge is maintained.

Note: The aim of the sustainability champion credits is to encourage an integrated design and construction process that uses BREEAM as a framework for establishing, agreeing and achieving the desired level of sustainability performance for the project. The sustainability champion credits in this BREEAM issue focus on achieving this objective through the provision of appropriate expertise during the preparation, brief, and design stages of the project.

Technical design work stage

The technical design work is the stage at which all architectural, structural and building service design information, specialist subcontractor design and specifications are finalised.

Other information

None.