Sustainable construction has become an essential factor in the planning of a new development. Sustainability comprises social, economic and environmental issues and these overlap with many specialist disciplines in the course of a building project. Defining sustainable performance is complex, and careful assessment is needed to make sure that the objectives are realistic, manageable and deliverable.

Buro Happold plays a vital role in enabling clients to procure buildings which are more ‘environmentally responsible’. We achieve this by working closely with both architects and clients to establish what sustainable construction involves and how it can be incorporated into the building design. Our extensive experience gives us a unique insight into the challenges and a proven ability to create workable solutions for each individual project.

At the initial stage of a project, we make clients aware of regulatory requirements for sustainable development and produce Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to accompany a planning application. We help to develop an environmental policy statement that clearly lays out the objectives and we advise the project teams on design options for meeting sustainability targets, such as low energy heating and natural ventilation systems.

The environmental impact of the design options is assessed using proven methods such as BREEAM or LEED. We also advise on how to assess contractors and suppliers using accepted sustainability criteria. During construction, we ensure the site is registered under the ‘considerate constructors’ scheme and monitor the delivery of sustainability goals – for example, we encourage the supply of materials from sustainable sources and the adoption of a sustainable waste strategy.