The NABERS UK Independent Design Review Panel has been launched by BRE today. The Panel consists of 11 industry experts in both the energy efficient design and operation of office buildings. Each will play a leading role in upskilling the commercial real estate sector and reliably delivering energy efficient buildings.

The launch of the Panel is a key milestone to support new office development and refurbishment projects that are utilising the Design for Performance framework to target operational energy performance during the design stage.  

Design for Performance is part of the NABERS UK rating scheme, administered by BRE, in partnership with NABERS and the Better Buildings Partnership. All projects registered under the framework must procure an Independent Design Review (IDR) to assess how likely the project is to achieve its operational energy target. 

The Independent Design Review Panel acts as a procurement framework panel of shortlisted suppliers who have the necessary skills to be able to undertake an Independent Design Review for any project. Independent Design Reviews can only be undertaken by those on the Panel.

Following an initial expression of interest last summer, candidates have gone through a rigorous training and assessment programme led by the Better Buildings Partnership and delivered by technical experts Paul Bannister at Delta Q and Robert Cohen at Verco.  

Panellists will be responsible for reviewing a variety of new project designs in the UK and freely share ideas, concepts and solutions with design teams. Beyond the impact panel members will have on individual projects, it is hoped that the panel will have a significant indirect benefit to how energy efficiency is approached within design across the wider industry. 

By having oversight of a large number of major developments, it is hoped the Panel will be able to disseminate best-practise to a wider range of design consultancies at a faster rate than would be otherwise possible through the natural osmosis of design ideas.

See the full list of the NABERS Independent Design Review Panel here.

Sarah Ratcliffe, CEO at Better Buildings Partnership said: “The Design for Performance framework is critical in ensuring that office developers committing to a NABERS Energy rating have the confidence that it can be delivered. The Independent Design Review Panel forms a vital piece of this jigsaw. We are delighted to be able to announce this list of highly skilled individuals who will not only be able to undertake IDR’s, but also contribute to upskilling the industry to deliver better, more energy efficient, buildings.”

Shamir Ghumra, Head of Building Performance Services at BRE, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the members of the Independent Design Review Panel to the NABERS UK scheme and look forward to working with them to assess the projects that come forward. Together we will make a big difference to energy use in offices".

Paul Bannister, Director of Innovation, Delta Q said: “The role of IDR panel members is to spearhead change in how buildings are designed so that they produce genuine low carbon outcomes in operation.  The panel members have shown that they are capable of leading this important change, and I look forward to seeing the impact of their work over coming years.”

Carlos Flores, Director at NABERS said: "Based on our experience in Australia, we know that the IDR panel is crucial to the success of the Design for Performance process. After a comprehensive preparation phase, we are pleased to welcome a panel of 11 prominent building design and performance experts who are now ready to play this important role for NABERS UK."

Contact: s.tysoe@betterbuildingspartnership.co.uk 

Notes to Editors

NABERS UK

NABERS UK was developed via the Design for Performance initiative led by the Better Buildings Partnership, working in close collaboration with the market transformational Australian NABERS programme. The work has been funded by British Land; Derwent London; Federated Hermes / MEPC; Great Portland Estates; Grosvenor Britain & Ireland; Landsec; Legal & General Investment Management; Lendlease; Nuveen Real Estate; Royal London Asset Management and Stanhope, and backed by industry bodies including the British Council for Offices; British Property Federation; BRE; BSRIA; CIBSE; CREFC Europe; RIBA; RICS; UKGBC and the Usable Buildings Trust. The scheme was developed for the UK market with expert input from Verco & DeltaQ.

BETTER BUILDINGS PARTNERSHIP

The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) is a not-for-profit collaboration of the UK’s leading property owners who are working together to improve the sustainability of the UK’s existing commercial buildings. The organisation's aim is to deliver market transformation through sustainability leadership and knowledge sharing across the UK property industry. More information about the BBP can be found here: www.betterbuildingspartnership.co.uk   

BRE

BRE is the world’s leading building science centre. Its sustainability, safety, and security services – as well as the BRE Academy and Innovation Centres – are used by customers to deliver on their social, environmental, and economic goals.

BRE is committed to developing knowledge on every aspect of the built environment. The organisation sets the standards for the way buildings, homes and communities are made to keep people safe, protect the environment, make buildings affordable, and create places where people want to live.
Website: www.bregroup.com / Twitter: @BRE_Group

NABERS

NABERS is a national rating system from Australia that measures the environmental performance of buildings and tenancies. Put simply, NABERS measures the energy efficiency, water usage, waste management and indoor environment quality of a building or tenancy and its impact on the environment. 

NABERS is a reliable and easy to understand sustainability rating for the built environment. Like the efficiency star ratings that you get on your fridge or washing machine, NABERS provides a rating from one to six stars for buildings efficiency. NABERS measures actual impact, not intent.  

NABERS is a world leading building performance rating due to its integrity of methods, transparency of process and accountability to industry. NABERS is administered by Australia’s New South Wales Government, and is in three countries; Australia, New Zealand and now the UK.