CODE FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES

Brewster Bye Architects are qualified Code for Sustainable Homes assessors and are also licensed to carry out SAP calculations and produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) for new dwellings. These roles are fundamental to the service we offer our clients enabling us to integrate sustainable design and assessment procedures into our residential projects. As well as assessing our own projects, we are also more than happy to carry out these services on a consultancy basis, working with other architects and members of the design team.

The Code for Sustainable Homes is an environmental assessment method developed by the BRE and as of April 2007, it became mandatory to assess all new homes against the Code. Whilst it is still possible to download a ‘nil’ rated (Building Regulations compliant) certificate free of charge for private residential developments, all RSL’s are required to achieve minimum Code levels. Many planning authorities also require specific levels of environmental performance over and above Building Regulations.

SAP 2005 is the governments Standard Assessment Procedure for the energy rating of dwellings. It is used to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations and also forms the basis for producing Energy Performance Certificates. EPC’s are required whenever a building is built, sold or rented.

At Brewster Bye, we have developed strategies for achieving compliance with specific levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes and can tailor this guidance to suit individual projects, or apply it to multi-occupancy developments. This guidance is based upon work we have carried out over many projects working with developers, consultants and manufacturers to arrive at cost efficient and deliverable solutions that will help achieve the governments stated carbon emissions targets. Project specific strategies need to be implemented early in the design process, preferably pre-planning, and Brewster Bye Architects are ideally placed to be able to provide this service.