Why Buildings for Tomorrow?

Buildings for Tomorrow is a Sustainable Buildings Consultancy Service providing BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes assessments, Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies and Travel Plans.

We can also provide advice to home owners on ways to build or refurbish their homes in a more environmentally friendly way.

For more details see ‘Services’ above.

BREEAM Assessments

We can provide a licensed BREEAM assessor for all the main BREEAM Schemes.

BREEAM is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. This is used to measure the environmental performance of a building in 8 key areas: energy, water use, ecology, pollution, health and well-being, transport, management, materials and waste. Credits are awarded in each of the sections and a rating is given for the building ranging from ‘pass’ to ‘outstanding’. The aim is to provide a building that is not only energy efficient and minimises its impact on its surroundings, but is also a place where people want to live or work. For more details see www.breeam.org.

BREEAM Assessements are not yet legally required for most new buildings but many developers are finding that a rating of at least ‘very good’ is seen as a desirable feature by prospective tenants. Buildings that have been designed without attention to energy efficiency will fast become white elephants in today’s climate of rapidly rising energy prices.

At Buildings for Tomorrow we can provide pre-assessment advice as well as moving the assessment on to completion with maximum speed and efficiency.

Prices for BREEAM Assessments can be provided on request.

Renewable Energy Feasibility Studies

When all means of reducing the energy consumption of a building have been tried, the next step is to look at providing the remaining energy requirement with a minimum of carbon emissions. This involves considering renewable and low emissions technologies such as:
Wind turbines,
Solar Water Heating,
Solar Photovoltaics,
Biomass heating,
Heat pumps – ground, water or air source,
Hydro

The Feasibility Study will look at which technologies are suitable for a particular site and then consider costs, carbon emissions, grants available and drawbacks.

Prices for a Feasibility Study can be provided on request.

Travel Plans

A travel plan will look at all aspects of transport for a site. How do staff, visitors or deliveries arrive and leave the site, and how can this be minimised? Suggestions are made for low carbon alternatives, such as car clubs, bike pools, video conferencing and ways to allocate limited parking spaces.

Prices for producing a travel plan strategy in the design stage or for travel planning when the building becomes occupied can be provided on request. Contact.

Advice to Homeowners

If you are considering building your own home or carrying out some refurbishment or DIY you may wish to look at low impact building materials, energy efficiency measures, water saving devices, innovative insulation materials etc. Buildings for Tomorrow can provide advice on the most sustainable options, the greatest return for your money in terms of energy saving, grants available etc.

Energy Audits can also be carried out.