New design framework to let office developers highlight sustainability push

A new design framework has been launched for the developers of offices to demonstrate that their projects are in line with their sustainability goals. The Design for Performance framework, launched as part of NABERS UK, will require developers to target an operational NABERS energy rating during the project design and then to verify it once the building is occupied. Since NABERS launched in the UK last November, 14 projects have been registered from developers backing the scheme. The new framework will be open to any development project targeting a NABERS rating of four stars and above. Sarah Ratcliffe, chief executive at the Better Buildings Partnership, which helped to bring NABERS to the UK, said: “This is another significant step forward for Design for Performance, an industry-led and backed initiative to bridge the performance gap in UK commercial offices. “This now means that any UK commercial office development or refurbishment can use the DfP process and verify its in-use performance.” To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@egi.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @estatesgazette Photo by Arun Thomas from Pexels