SUSTAINABILITY - Level 1

Question 1

Can you give me an explanation of your understanding of sustainability?

Answer 1

Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Question 2

Example Environmental Sustainability?

Answer 2

May be through design materials selected less embodied carbon - Recycled as appose to new concrete etc

Question 3

Example Social Sustainability?

Answer 3

Introducing soft landscaping areas which in turn can improve health and wellbeing of residents

Question 4

Example economic sustainability

Answer 4

Investing in renewable power in turn to reduce energy costs for residents

Question 5

You understand building life cycles – explain

Answer 5

Viewing building over its entire life
• Planning , construction , in use refurb and disposal (cradle to grave)
• RIBA plan of work 2020

Question 6

how would you go about understanding the life cycle cost of a building?

Answer 6

• Guidance Note – Life Cycle Costing
• BCIS Estimate
• Would be undertaken by Quantity Surveyor
• I understand they would require a clear brief from the client at what design stage the life cycle costing would take place and for what elements.
• In early design stages this may impact what materials are selected
• To also understand running and maintenance costs when in use.
Life expectancy of materials

Question 7

7. BREEAM – what is it?

Answer 7

• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
• sustainability assessment accreditation for masterplanning projects, infrastructure and buildings.

Question 8

8. In your summary you mention BREEAM. Can you explain to me what this is and where it may apply to your projects. Can you talk me through three ways in which a project can achieve BREEAM credits?

Answer 8

•	Transport
•	Ecology
•	Water use
•	Energy Strategy
•	Waste management 
•	Social Wellbeing
•	Materials
Very Good , Excellent, Outstanding

Question 9

How do the building regs relate to sustainability?

Answer 9

• Part L – Conservation of Fuel and Power
• Part F – ventilation
• Overheating
Proposed changes forthcoming following Future Homes Standard consultation

Question 10

What legislation exists to Govern Sustainability?

Answer 10

• Building Regulation Compliance
• Climate Change Act -
The original act, passed in 2008, committed the UK to an 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, compared to 1990 levels. In 2019, the Climate Change Act 2008 (2050 Target Amendment) Order 2019 was passed which increased the UK’s commitment to a 100% reduction in emissions by 2050
• Requirement for Energy Performance Certficates
• Local policy – London Plan
‘A minimum on-site reduction of at least 35 per cent beyond Building Regulations152 is required for major development. Residential development should achieve 10 per cent,

Question 11

Have the RICS published any recent correspondence on Sustainability?

Answer 11

Introduction of World Built Environment Forum

Press releases in relation to COP26

Question 12

Are you aware of SKA?

Answer 12

Yes - RICS’s sustainability accreditation - mainly used for commercial fit outs

Question 13

16. What is an Environmental Impact Assessment, and what does it typically contain?

Answer 13

• is to protect the environment by ensuring that a local planning authority when deciding whether to grant planning permission for a project, which is likely to have significant effects on the environment.
• is also to ensure that the public are given early and effective opportunities to participate in the decision making procedures
• Contents agreed with local authority – On Westhorpe this generally set out what impacts could be on the environment and how these are being managed. Some contents included Energy strategy, ecology, social wellbeing

Question 14

17. Can you give me any examples where changing the materials on a scheme may improve the sustainability of it?

Answer 14

Single glazed to double/ triple glazed windows may increase energy performance
Concrete to timber frame - concrete a lot of embodied carbon , softwood timber can be re-grown
Recycled materials as appose to new – less embodied carbon/ using no or less fossil fuels

Question 15

18. Are you aware of any methods or schemes in the construction industry that look to improve the sustainability of the construction industry? What is your understanding/experience of these schemes and how to they go about this?

Answer 15

• BREEAM
• LEED
• SKA
• Passivhouse

Question 16

19. You note within your summary that the London Plan has influenced the energy strategy for the Colville Phase 2c. Can you talk me through what effect it has had and how the sustainability of the scheme has improved as a result?

Answer 16

• Minimum 35% improvement against the Part L notional baseline.
• ASHP’s
• PV’s
• Energy Centre & District Heating network which will serve
• existing and future Colville Estate and Britannia masterplan developments

Question 17

What are the BREEAM levels

Answer 17

OUTSTANDING	
EXCELLENT	
VERY GOOD
GOOD	
PASS	
UNCLASSIFIED	< 30