Buro Happold launch NABERS UK and Design for Performance service offer

Office buildings often consume more than twice the energy in operation than estimated using design simulations.

To meet net zero carbon targets, we need to address this performance gap by shifting from a compliance-focused culture to performance-focused culture.

The UK’s ‘design for compliance’ culture, where the energy efficiency of a building is established using a simple, theoretical model comparing a design against standardised baselines such as Building Regulations and EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) poses a challenge.

This focus on compliance has created the ‘performance gap’, where buildings often consume more than double the energy in operation than estimated in simulations.

Closing this performance gap is an opportunity to deliver the triple bottom line benefits of people, planet and profit. Together this increases confidence levels, credibility and marketability of sustainable buildings. Wider benefits include a better operational rating leading to increases in lease lengths, rental income and property value, increased assurance that development will be low energy in operation and reduced environmental impact, supporting net zero carbon pathway.

Additional benefits include lower operational costs from a fine-tuned design and HVAC strategy, identifying opportunities to adjust and refine design therefore reducing capital costs and enhanced health, wellbeing & productivity. Achieving low operational performance also ensures market alignment with UKGBC net zero, BREEAM, GRESB, UN SDGs, ESG (where applicable).

So how can NABERS Energy Ratings and Design for Performance help move this sector forward?

NABERS United Kingdom is a new investment-grade energy efficiency rating for UK office base buildings administered by the Building Research Establishment (BRE). The voluntary scheme focuses on driving down energy performance in operation and disclosing performance on an annual basis, with a rating scale from one star (poor) to six stars (market-leading).

• NABERS Energy Ratings – Energy performance disclosure of existing buildings on an annual basis. Assesses the energy performance of base building HVAC services, hot water, lifts, common area light and power. Provides owners and investors will a fair comparison of buildings in the market.

• NABERS Design for Performance (DfP) – Developers sign a DfP agreement and publicly commit to an operational energy target for the base building at the design stage enabling the development to be marketed as such. Advanced simulation is used to stress test the design with the overall approach reviewed by an Independent Design Review Panel. Modelling takes a crucial role in commissioning and fine-tuning to meet the prescribed energy targets in operation.

Why choose Buro Happold?

Buro Happold has been a Pioneering Delivery Partner for NABERS UK and Design for Performance since the early piloting stages. As a business we have been awarded the coveted CIBSE Building Performance Consultancy of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. We are leading the DfP approach on a number of projects and our HVAC modellers are part of the first tranche of Independent Design Review panel members. This enables us to have deep knowledge of the requirements and be at the forefront of advising clients on complex issues.

We invest heavily in parametric modelling, machine learning and single analysis models allowing us to confidently design buildings that are energy efficient while maximising health, wellbeing and productivity. Coupled with this advanced simulation, we utilise principles of Soft Landings, Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) and performance diagnostics to ensure all decisions across the lifecycle are focused on improving operational performance, meeting the needs of end-users and delivering on client aspirations.

These approaches align perfectly with a performance-focused design approach, providing a proven way to achieve a measurable operational energy target.