Following a consultation process and collaboration with global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm HOK, BRE Global has announced adaptations of the BREEAM International New Construction standard to streamline the pathway to certification for projects located in the United States.
This announcement is the result of a nearly year-long partnership to adapt the BREEAM International New Construction standard to the U.S. market and marks the latest development in BRE Global’s effort to expand in this market. Earlier this month, BRE Global announced the planned update to the BREEAM In-Use standard to include for the first time the assessment and certification of sustainability performance for existing residential and multifamily buildings in the U.S.
BRE Global first introduced BREEAM In-Use for existing buildings to the U.S. market in 2016 to provide a science-based, holistic sustainability assessment certification and improvement solution not covered by existing green building programs. Market enthusiasm for the standard encouraged BRE to expand the program in the U.S. BREEAM uses independent licensed BREEAM Assessors to conduct an on-site visit to verify the evidence of design and construction is to the standard before certification is awarded.
BREEAM International New Construction Standard For U.S. Buildings
The newly unveiled adaptations for the BREEAM International New Construction standard include a regional approach that accounts for varying building codes, best practices, and industry standards across the U.S. These changes ensure that the standard delivers the most appropriate sustainable solutions for each project in an efficient way, thereby delivering the maximum value. BREEAM New Construction also includes an option to work with non-standard buildings through the BREEAM Bespoke process, driving more sustainable outcomes for buildings with uncommon space types or in unusual locations.
HOK provided BRE Global with detailed technical advice and broader market trends from their vast experience delivering on some of the most innovative and sustainable projects in the U.S. and around the world. This includes Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, recognized as the most sustainable professional sports stadium in the U.S., as well as The Francis Crick Institute in London which received a BREEAM Excellent certification.
Anica Landreneau, director of sustainable design at HOK, said, “We are excited to help launch BREEAM International New Construction to benchmark and certify projects in the US. We think the standard’s regional approach in the US as well as its ability to adapt to the scope of work at hand will make it a valuable tool for many of our more complex, largescale and unique projects.”
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) was developed in 1990 by BRE Global. With more than two million registered projects and over 567,000 certified buildings in 81 countries, it has more certifications than any other green building rating system in the world.
Of today’s announcement, Shamir Ghumra, director of BREEAM at BRE Global, said, “The adoption of BREEAM International by HOK marks another significant step forward for BREEAM. This will give more built environment stakeholders even more access to BREEAM in the USA; building on our growing number of customers for BREEAM In-Use. HOK have shown great leadership in taking forward BREEAM International.”
