Improved guidance for BREEAM
Building Research Establishment ( BRE) and the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™) have released a new, improved briefing paper that outlines how projects may achieve both a certified BREEAM rating and WELL Certification.The updated 'crosswalk' document, Assessing Health and Wellbeing in Buildings - Alignment between BREEAM and the WELL Building StandardTM, was developed as part of a commitment to continuous improvement by IWBI and BRE using industry feedback from professionals working to achieve joint certification of BREEAM and the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™). To simplify the process for project teams pursuing both standards, BRE and IWBI have worked together to compare performance requirements, harmonise evidence and identify opportunities to streamline the process of achieving dual certification.
Specific improvements and enhancements to the guidance document include instructions for projects that clarify how to use the crosswalk, minor amendments to the alignments and overlaps between the two standards, and a simplified labeling system. The new crosswalk also features useful notes and comments to clarify these alignments.
WELL is a global standard and addresses a number of issues already covered by regulations in the UK and across the EU. For this reason, the document also sets out the areas where WELL requirements are aligned with UK and/or EU regulations.
BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for masterplanning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It is now applied in 77 countries around the world with over 2.2million buildings registered under its schemes.
This work forms a part of an ongoing collaboration between BRE and IWBI to work together to harmonise their approach to health and wellbeing in the built environment across their standards, research programmes and services generally.
An interactive webcast will take place on 31 January about the updated crosswalk and how to apply it to projects. Register here (UK) and here (Europe).