WCEC qualify as BREEAM assessors

WCEC qualify as BREEAM assessors

3 Sep 2008

WCEC Architects is now a “licensed assessor organisation” for BREEAM, one of just a few practices in the UK able to carry out BREEAM retail assessments.

Charles Lynch and Stephen Spedding have both successfully completed the BREEAM training programme and can now use their expertise to advise retail and developer clients on the environmental impact of both new and existing developments  

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) was developed by the British Research Establishment (BRE) as a way of evaluating a building's environmental performance against a number of measures including energy use, health and well being, pollution, ecology, transport and land use, and giving the building a rating based on the assessment. The life assessment also includes the impact of the building's demolition.

BREEAM assessment can be carried out at either design stage, or at any time once the building is occupied. Clients can specify the rating they require at design stage, and have the design evaluated on that basis.  

Alex Wall, partner, said:  “Retailers are increasingly concerned about the impact of their stores on the environment so being able to offer BREEAM assessments from our in house team is a valuable additional service.   We can be involved at the very start of the design process which allows us to anticipate the requirements and incorporate them into buildings from the outset, saving clients from the delays and expense which can occur if changes need to be made at a later stage.”