BREEAM RSC 04 Future adjustments
By creating a building whose design allows flexibility in adapting to future requirements, 2.2% more BREEAM points can be achieved in the BREEAM certification for commercial use. By carrying out a building-specific study on the functional adaptation strategy, an additional 1% more points can be earned for exemplary performance. An appropriate design of the building stock is therefore very helpful if a high award such as BREEAM “Excellent” (≥ 70 %) or BREEAM “Outstanding” (≥ 85 %) is aimed for.
The RSC 04 criterion is part of the materials assessment category. The materials category promotes the responsible use and reuse of resources in order to increase sustainability throughout the building cycle and increase added value.
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We support you in implementing the BREEAM requirements in your project and advise you on the appropriate design of your existing building:
RSC 04 Future adjustments (4 points)
a) Partition walls that can be easily repositioned.
b) Vertical load-bearing structure in the interior, the design of which allows a flexible room layout, for example with load-bearing supports at regular intervals and few or no load-bearing walls.
c) technical installations that can be easily removed/adapted if areas are unoccupied or higher occupancy is required, e.g. removal or addition of HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) elements, lighting, etc.
d) Room layout, primary access routes and floor heights suitable for multiple future uses.
e) other design elements deemed useful by the auditor.
RSC 04 Building-specific study on functional adaptation strategy (1 point for exemplary performance)
a) Probabilities: the likelihood that several or alternative uses and functional areas will arise over the building life cycle or that the building will be used by different tenants (e.g. in relation to the structural design of the building).
b) Accessibility: Design aspects that simplify the replacement of all essential technical systems over the service life of the building, e.g. modules in floors or walls that can be removed without interfering with the building structure, for example with the aid of load beams and hooks. Accessibility also includes access to local building services, such as local power supply, data infrastructures, etc.
c) Versatility: the degree of adaptability of the internal environment to changes in working practices.
d) Adaptability: the potential to adapt the ventilation concept of the building to future needs of the building users and climatic scenarios.
e) Interchangeability: the degree of adaptability of the interior and the building envelope to accommodate changes in use.
f) Expandability: Possibility to expand the building horizontally or vertically.
g) Refurbishment capability: feasibility of major refurbishment work, including replacement of the façade.
RSC 04 – BREEAM Question: Does the design of the building allow for future adaptations to accommodate changes in need, use and functionality?
| Points | Answer | Answer option |
| 0 | A. | Question not answered |
| 0 | B. | No |
| 4 | C. | Yes |
| 1 (Exemplary performance) | D. | A building-specific study on the functional adaptation strategy was carried out |
BREEAM Rewards Responsible Use of Resources
BREEAM DE/AT/CH Existing Buildings is a performance-based assessment procedure for the certification of existing commercial buildings. The primary aim of this BREEAM system is to reduce the environmental impact of existing buildings on the environment. Further information can also be found here: BREEAM website
The BREEAM DE/AT/CH portfolio assessment process is divided into two parts, which can be certified separately:
- Quality of the building: Assessment measure of a building’s performance that can be used to highlight both best practice and potential improvements.
- Quality of building operation: Assessment standard for the management processes used in a building, which can be used to identify both best practices and potential for optimizing building operation.
Objective of criterion RSC 04 Future adjustments:
Recognition and promotion of buildings whose design allows a certain flexibility with regard to future uses.
Use of the RSC 04 criterion Future adjustments:
- The waste and costs incurred during future renovation or extension work or when dismantling the building are reduced.
- The ability to reuse and recycle materials cost-effectively is increasing.
- The service life of materials and products is extended.
- Awareness of circular economy principles during building operation is increasing.
- The costs and operational interruptions associated with the need for future adaptations and refurbishment work are reduced, which also reduces the resulting waste and the associated costs.
Thanks to our many years of experience in the field of sustainable building planning and design, we can provide you with optimum support for BREEAM certification for your project.
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