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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

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    • CommentAuthorgravelld
    • CommentTimeSep 26th 2018 edited
     
    Passivhaus seems to be the most discussed building certification standard. And maybe the AECB standards, a bit.

    According to Wikipedia though there might be up to 10x the number of BREEAM builds to Passivhaus!

    I guess it's the news outlets I choose - here, BuildHub, Twitter etc.

    A cursory look at how BREEAM works suggests it gives a score to the improvement over and above national regulations. This seems like a rather odd way of doing things but I'm sure there's a good reason or I've missed a huge chunk of detail!

    Just interested in others views.



    Prompted by a comment in https://www.ft.com/content/e1758046-9599-11e8-95f8-8640db9060a7
  1.  
    Having heard nothing but BREEAM for years, I'd say consider yourself lucky!

    On a serious note, whilst the basic score is no better than Building Regs, the BREEAM badge is still fairly challenging to achieve at the higher echelons (i.e. Outstanding) and therefore held in high regard by estates managers in sectors like universities and offices. You score points for innovation credits by doing something new and not done before, thus driving forward innovation.

    Unfortunately the cynic in me sees most of the BREEAM solutions as bolt-ons that can be 'gamed' if you know the rules. Unlike Passivhaus, which is just pass/fail and rigorously third-party tested at each stage (i.e. you can't just throw on some PV's at the end if you need the credits), BREEAM is slightly more forgiving and thus more appealing to developers who might want to ditch some of their initial commitments at a later stage when the costs come in.

    Both standards have gradually influenced the market - particularly in bike stands in the case of BREEAM; and in a way both have their place. Difficult to compare directly when BREEAM has a wider remit in terms of wildlife habitats and water saving measures etc.

    I would suggest looking at the WELL building standard too, which is more focused on the end user in terms of VOC's and air quality etc.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeSep 26th 2018
     
    My local authority ask for BREEAM for non domestic buildings but it is pretty optional and then which level do you go for with it leaves it pretty useless.

    Several retrograde steps have happened including the dropping of CSH for housing and good social housing providers are using Passive House off their own batts as it is it offers higher quality, less problems and extremely nice living environment
    • CommentAuthorgravelld
    • CommentTimeSep 26th 2018
     
    So BREEAM sounds a bit like CfSH then? Always disliked that approach with bike sheds etc.

    I can see why BREEAM has many more houses - developers are always more likely to build to something where they can manipulate with ease. But why would they build to it in the first place? Planning conditions?
    •  
      CommentAuthorfostertom
    • CommentTimeSep 26th 2018
     
    AFAIK BREEAM is everything but houses - so not comparable with CfSH
    • CommentAuthorMackers
    • CommentTimeSep 26th 2018
     
    Not a fan of BREEAM. Check out the WELL standard
    https://www.wellcertified.com
  2.  
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: gravelld</cite>So BREEAM sounds a bit like CfSH then? Always disliked that approach with bike sheds etc.

    I can see why BREEAM has many more houses - developers are always more likely to build to something where they can manipulate with ease. But why would they build to it in the first place? Planning conditions?</blockquote>

    Yes, it's a lot like CfSH but there are differences. Google has quite a few hits for comparisons between the two though none are comprehensive.

    As you say it is almost always something that is mandated by planning conditions at a Local Authority policy level. Occasionally a large organisation (i.e. British Land or a University) might just want it as a badge of honour - see the new Bloomberg Headquarters which has recently been rated Outstanding.

    https://www.breeam.com/case-studies/offices/bloomberg-london/

    "Bloomberg wanted an exemplar of sustainable design that would endure and improve the surrounding City of London public realm."

    Whether that's true or it just smoothed the way for planning permission is a matter of opinion. As is the true sustainability of some of the particular materials (i.e. imported stone) used in the building but either way it certainly set a benchmark and wasn't something they *needed* to do.
    • CommentAuthorgravelld
    • CommentTimeSep 27th 2018
     
    Thanks all.
    • CommentAuthorDarylP
    • CommentTimeSep 27th 2018 edited
     
    BREEAM is non-dom primarily.
    Code for Sus. Homes was knocked on the head in Wales in 2014.
    Optional for England... altho' WAG can still insist on CfSH if they fund developments ! ;-(
    • CommentAuthorSigaldry
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2018
     
    Home Quality Mark is a sort of successor to the Code for Sustainable Homes:

    https://www.homequalitymark.com/
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2018
     
    Probably won’t work, I can tell you about a dozen other ones

    We need a decent statutory low energy standard for new and refurbished buildings
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2018
     
    Passivhaus and EnerPHit.
    • CommentAuthorgravelld
    • CommentTimeOct 2nd 2018
     
    Passivhaus is actually referenced in the current Labour party energy manifesto. First time I've noticed it taken seriously in a policy document by a large party.
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