INNOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS (IA)

Question 1

IA 1 - INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES

Bonus Credits: 5 (IA 1 & IA 2)

OBJECTIVE
Encourage adoption of new practices, technologies and techniques that have yet to find practical application in Hong Kong.

Answer 1

Maximum 5 BONUS credit points (IA 1 & IA 2)

ASSESSMENT
The onus will be on the Applicant to present evidence of the application of new practices, technologies and techniques and the associated benefits. The benefits may be considered in relation to sustainable living, energy use, material use, improved comfort and reduced pollution, etc. The Assessor will refer the proposal to the Technical Review Committee of BEAM Society Limited, who will consider each aspect on its merits and award credits accordingly.

The Applicant shall make a submission applying for the additional credits, including a description of the proposed innovative technique and the proposed criteria for assessing compliance. The weighting (number of credits) proposed would be considered against the existing weightings under the various sustainability aspects categorised in BEAM Plus, i.e. a technique that can demonstrate resource savings, enhance cultural and social values or reduce environmental loading, and be made comparable with the existing criteria deemed to achieve similar levels of benefits.

Question 2

IA 2 - PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT

Bonus Credits: 5 (IA 1 & IA 2)

OBJECTIVE
Encourage adoption of new practices, technologies and techniques that have yet to find practical application in Hong Kong.

Answer 2

Maximum 5 BONUS credit points (IA 1 & IA 2)

ASSESSMENT
The onus will be on the Applicant to present evidence of the performance gains as compared to the existing criteria. The Assessor will refer the proposal to the Technical Review Committee of BEAM Society Limited who will consider each aspect on its merits and award credits accordingly.

The Applicant shall make a submission applying for the additional credit points that may be a result of attaining an enhancement in performance in any sustainability aspect. The weighting (number of credit points) proposed would be considered against the existing weightings provided under the various sustainability aspects categorised in BEAM Plus, i.e. a demonstrated resource saving would be compared to existing criteria on a pro-rata basis in order to determine the number of BONUS credits to be awarded.

Question 3

IA 3 - BEAM PROFESSIONAL

Credits: 1

EXCLUSIONS
None

OBJECTIVE
To facilitate the application for the BEAM Plus certification process and to ensure the design of the Project following the requirement of the BEAM Plus standards.

Answer 3

1 credit point for engaging a BEAM Professional (ND) in the project

ASSESSMENT
The Applicant shall provide the evidence of engaging at least one BEAM Pro (ND) as the key project team member

Question 4

INNOVATIONS AND ADDITIONS (IA)

Answer 4

Total number of IA credit points: 1 + 5B

This section allows the Applicant to submit for consideration of regular and bonus credit points on any innovative technique or a performance enhancement which the Applicant can demonstrate the substantial environmental and social benefits as compared to the requirements specified in the manual. Innovation and Additions include:

• Innovation Techniques;
• Performance Enhancement; and
• BEAM Professional.

Whilst innovative design solutions are encouraged, they do not necessarily justify the award of credit points. Innovation must demonstrate performance gains, such as through improved efficiency and / or improvements in the built environment. Indeed, it is expected that significant performance benefits will be realised from full and proper implementation of sound design and site planning practices.