Future-Proofing Professional Services Office Spaces with BREEAM
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  • The Role of BREEAM in Future-Proofing Professional Services Office Spaces

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min read

Patrick Isitt
Content Manager
Content specialist in office design and build.

  • Sustainability is dominating the conversation in practically every area of modern business – and the professional services sector is no exception. Whether it’s accounting, law, logistics or marketing, businesses are expected to consider the environment in everything they do.

    Office spaces are a key part of this, which is why BREEAM has become more important than ever. According to Knight Frank, 49% of London office lettings in Q1 2024 were for BREEAM-certified buildings. That’s a significant leap from 30% in Q1 2019.

    BREEAM is a recognised measure of a building’s sustainability credentials. In this article, we’ll dig a little deeper into BREEAM and how it can future-proof office spaces for professional services firms.

  • What is BREEAM?

    Let’s start with the basics. BREEAM is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, which was first launched in 1990. Above all else, it aims to raise awareness of sustainable building practices among owners and occupiers, as well as provide a framework for building designers and developers.

    Assessments are carried out by a licensed organisation at various stages of a building’s lifecycle. Buildings are rated and certified as ‘Pass’, ‘Good’, ‘Very Good’, ‘Excellent’ or ‘Outstanding’, with eight key areas considered:

  • • Land use and ecology, including the type of land used for development and how biodiversity is protected and managed in the surrounding area.

    • Water use during construction and operation.

    • How a building impacts occupants’ health and wellbeing.

    • The building’s impact on light pollution, noise pollution, flooding and emissions.

    • Transport – including access to sustainable modes of transport and contribution to traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

    • Materials used for design, construction and maintenance.

    • Waste during construction and the sustainable management of waste going forward.

    • Sustainable management practices throughout the lifecycle of a building, from design and construction to ongoing use.

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  • The standards have been updated several times since the original version in 1990. This includes the introduction of innovation credits in 2008, which recognise buildings going above and beyond any of the specific criteria required. Most recently, BREEAM UK New Construction V6 and V6.1 were released to reflect changes in building regulations across the UK.

    To find out more about BREEAM, including how to achieve certification, read our complete guide to BREEAM for commercial fit-outs.

  • How does it differ from other green building accreditations?

    BREEAM isn’t the only green building accreditation. You may have also heard of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and SKA ratings. All three aim to promote sustainable practices with unique methodologies and assessment criteria.

    However, they cater to different markets and project types. The main difference between LEED and BREEAM is that the former is US-focused, while the latter is a UK standard. On the other hand, SKA differs from BREEAM as it focuses solely on fit-outs rather than the surrounding building.

    For a more detailed overview, take a look at our guide to the different green building accreditations, which also includes NABERS and some health and wellbeing standards.

  • What are the key benefits of BREEAM?

    We’ve covered what BREEAM is, but why should companies use it? Here are four clear benefits of BREEAM for professional services offices:

  • 1. Sustainability and environmental impact

    First and foremost, BREEAM demonstrates your commitment to reducing your carbon footprint and minimising your environmental impact. It’s not uncommon to see an excellent BREEAM rating highlighted in press releases for new offices, aligning with a company’s internal ESG strategy.

    This could be critical as sustainability becomes more important to the choices businesses make. According to Forbes, 82% of consumers want brands to embrace sustainable practices. This has a knock-on effect for the professional services used by those brands.

    On top of that, BREEAM helps you use resources more efficiently. From gas and electricity to water and minimal waste, changes can lead to cost savings which stack up over time.

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  • 2. Regulatory compliance

    Another key benefit of BREEAM is that it helps firms stay ahead of environmental regulations – both now and in the future. At present, these include:

    • The Climate Change Act 2008 – with legally binding carbon reduction targets.
    • The Environment Bill 2021 – seeking to improve environmental protections after Brexit.
    • Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting – which makes it mandatory for large businesses to report on energy, carbon emissions and efficiency measures annually.
    • Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme – requiring eligible businesses to monitor energy use and identify energy-saving opportunities every four years.

    Crucially, new legislation can be introduced at any time. Having a BREEAM-certified office space keeps you one step ahead of future environmental regulations, avoiding unnecessary disruption and setbacks. Above all, it helps you avoid potential legal and compliance issues, plus the financial penalties that come with them.

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  • 3. Enhanced employee wellbeing

    BREEAM criteria doesn’t solely affect the environment. Several categories also impact your employees – not least the consideration of their health and wellbeing. Additional factors include light pollution, noise pollution, the surrounding ecology and links to public transport.

    Considering all of these as part of BREEAM can result in happier, more productive workspaces. Employees will benefit from improved environmental quality indoors, which has knock-on advantages for your business.

    Having a happier, healthier workplace will help you attract and retain top talent. According to the Fellowes Workplace Wellness Trend Report, 87% of workers said they wanted their employer to offer healthier workplace benefits.

    Committing to a sustainable workplace will only add to the appeal for potential and existing employees. For example, 51% of employees said they want companies to invest more in sustainability.

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  • 4. Market differentiation and reputation

    Finally, a BREEAM-certified office space can strengthen your brand’s reputation as a leader in sustainability. It increases the appeal for clients and partners who prioritise ESG values. BREEAM-certified buildings go beyond basic compliance, adding significant intrinsic value to your firm’s services.

    It’s worth noting that less than a quarter of the British public (23%) actually believe ESG claims, according to Sensu. BREEAM is a trusted certification that demonstrates your ESG commitments without question.

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  • Are there any disadvantages to BREEAM?

    Naturally, you’ll want to know about the potential disadvantages of BREEAM too.

    The initial cost of achieving BREEAM certification can be high. It includes fees for registration, assessment and certification, as well as the cost of implementing sustainability measures. However, it’s important to think of the value BREEAM certification provides in return for that extra cost – as outlined in the previous section.

    Additionally, the building and fit-out process is more time-consuming when achieving BREEAM certification. There are multiple stages involved, such as pre-assessment, design stage assessment and post-construction review. You’ll also typically need multiple specialised consultants and assessors to achieve BREEAM certification.

    These requirements can add to the complexity, duration and cost of the process, but it can be simplified with the right designers. At Oktra, for example, we always appoint a BREEAM assessor to ensure offices are aligned with each client’s desired ratings.

  • Achieving a BREEAM certification

    Sustainability is becoming more important to professional services firms and society as a whole. BREEAM can keep you one step ahead of compliance and market trends, as well as enhancing employee wellbeing and reducing your environmental impact.

    It’s not just a badge of honour. It’s a strategic investment in your firm’s future, which can help you appeal to clients and partners, attract and retain the best staff, and minimise disruption going forward.

  • The Guide to Green Building Rating Schemes

    Our guide to green building certifications will walk you through some of the most common sustainability and wellbeing rating schemes, to help you determine which route will best suit your objectives.

    Find Out More
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