Refurbishment and Fit Out / International / 2015 / 01 - Management /

MAN 01 - Project Brief and Design

Information correct as of 28thMarch 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.

BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) – Retrospectively applying AP status - KBCN0308

The AP status cannot be applied retrospectively. The purpose of using an AP on a project is that they can advise and steer the development from the outset to maximise its BREEAM and sustainability performance for the least cost/risk. If early AP appointment and involvement does not occur then the aims and criteria of this BREEAM issue are not being met.    

BREEAM AP – Achieving the design credit at the Post Construction Assessment - KBCN0215

Where a project will be undertaking a post construction stage assessment only (no interim assessment), to demonstrate that the criteria were met at the design stage a "BREEAM credit monitoring report" should be provided when the assessment is submitted, which shows that at the design stage of the project the building was still on target for the proposed BREEAM rating. This could be an excel document showing the issues that the design is on target for achieving with a short summary of how the BREEAM AP is steering the project for the correct rating. As long as the criteria are met and the correct information can be gathered for your evidence, a design stage certification is not required.

BREEAM AP – Change of BREEAM APs/Sustainability champions during project - KBCN0295

Whilst it would generally be preferable to retain the same individual in the role of BREEAM AP/Sustainability champion throughout the design and construction of a particular project for the purposes of continuity, we appreciate that this may not always be feasible. It is therefore entirely appropriate that the three credits available for using BREEAM APs/Sustainability champions can still be awarded where the individual performing the role changes (provided the ongoing involvement of an AP/SC is maintained in accordance with the criteria).  

BREEAM AP and BREEAM assessor – conflict of interest - KBCN0196

An individual can be appointed as a BREEAM/HQM Assessor and BREEAM AP/Sustainability Champion for the same project, where the Assessor also holds current and applicable AP/Sustainability Champion credentials. If this route is chosen, it must be made clear when submitting the assessment that both roles are being carried out by the same person and confirmed how potential conflicts of interest are identified and managed. This will mean, when appropriate, that the assessment can be escalated to a more detailed level of quality assurance checking.

BREEAM AP/Sustainability Champion appointment timing - KBCN0738

It is acceptable for the BREEAM AP/Sustainability Champion to be appointed later than the required stage, if it can be demonstrated that the AP/Sustainability Champion was appointed at the earliest appropriate time in the project and that the late involvement will not have a detrimental effect on the setting of BREEAM performance targets that need to be formally agreed no later than the concept design stage.

Design team meetings via conference call - KBCN0201

Design team meetings can be conducted via conference calls.

It can be difficult for design team members to be in the same place at the same time. Conference calls are a more sustainable way to conduct meetings. 


Stakeholder consultation – Building occupier unknown - KBCN0227

Where the building occupier is unknown, it is still possible to achieve the credit. The end user requirements must be assumed and considered by other project parties (e.g. client, design team, etc.) using their experience and judgement until such time as the occupier is known.  

Stakeholder consultation – Definition of “independent third party” - KBCN0428

The definition of independent third party should be taken to mean that the party i.e. the individual(s) rather than the organisation undertaking the consultation is independent of the design process. BREEAM is not prescriptive about how to evidence this.  It is the assessor's responsibility to collect robust evidence which proves this to be the case.

Stakeholder consultation – Existing shared facilities - KBCN0360

The consultation must include any existing shared facilities relied on to achieve compliance as well as the new facilities. To ensure the shared existing facilities are appropriate and in line with the users' requirements.  
Information correct as of 28thMarch 2024. Please see kb.breeam.com for the latest compliance information.