Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a game-changer in today’s built environment. At 299 Lighting, we’re all about crafting lighting solutions that don’t just illuminate spaces but also align with the highest environmental standards. Enter BREEAM, the world’s leading sustainability assessment method, and a key player in driving greener buildings. In this post, we’ll unpack what BREEAM is all about, zoom in on its Refurbishment and Fit-Out scheme, and show how our lighting expertise helps projects shine, literally and sustainably.
Overview of BREEAM: Refurbishment and Fit-Out in Focus
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) isn’t just a certification, it’s a blueprint for building better. With over 590,000 assessments worldwide, it’s the go-to standard for measuring a building’s environmental impact. From energy use to occupant wellbeing, BREEAM sets the bar high, pushing projects beyond the basics and into sustainable brilliance.
The BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit-Out scheme is where we really see it come to life for existing buildings. Tailored for non-domestic spaces in the UK, it’s all about upgrading what’s already there, think revitalizing tired offices, sprucing up schools, or giving retail spaces a fresh lease on life. It’s modular, breaking down into four parts: Fabric and Structure, Core Services, Local Services, and Interior Design. This setup lets us focus on what matters most for each project, whether it’s a full overhaul or a quick fit-out. The result? Smarter, greener spaces that don’t just look good but perform even better.
Lighting and Daylight: The BREEAM Essentials
When it comes to BREEAM, lighting isn’t just about bright ideas, it’s a critical piece of the sustainability puzzle. It ties into two big categories: Health and Wellbeing and Energy, and getting it right can rack up some serious credits.
Daylight Done Right
Natural light is a BREEAM superstar. The scheme sets specific daylight factor targets, like 2% for offices, to flood spaces with sunshine, cutting down on artificial lighting needs. Uniformity matters too, ensuring light spreads evenly without harsh shadows. Pair that with glare control (think blinds or clever shading), and you’ve got a recipe for happy, healthy occupants, and extra points on the board.
Artificial Lighting That Packs a Punch
When the sun goes down, artificial lighting steps up. BREEAM demands high-efficiency systems, LEDs are our weapon of choice, delivering the right illuminance levels for every space, from classrooms to boardrooms. Smart controls like occupancy sensors or dimmers keep energy waste in check, while zoning lets users tweak the vibe. Outside, it’s all about efficient external lighting with timers or sensors to avoid lighting up the night for no reason.
Energy and Beyond
On the energy front, efficient lighting slashes carbon emissions and boosts a project’s Energy Performance Rating. It’s not just about meeting standards, it’s about exceeding them, earning credits, and proving sustainability isn’t a compromise.
| Lux Levels (Artificial) | Average illuminance = 300 lux, Minimum point illuminance = 90 lux |
| Glare (Artificial) | Unified Glare Rating (UGR) ≤ 19 |
| Glare (Daylight) | Blinds or user-controlled shading devices must be fitted |
| Daylight | Average daylight factor ≥ 2% |
| Uniformity (Artificial) | Uniformity ratio ≥ 0.7 |
| Uniformity (Daylight) | Uniformity ratio ≥ 0.4 or minimum point daylight factor ≥ 0.8% |
The Inside Scoop: Mastering BREEAM’s Tricky Bits
BREEAM isn’t just big-picture goals, it’s got some fine print that can make or break a project. Let’s peek under the hood at these details and show how our consultancy, design, and supply expertise smooths them out to keep your refurb or fit-out on track.
Cracking the Comfort Code
BREEAM’s all about making spaces feel good, and that starts with light. For daylight, it wants a decent chunk of your space, say, 40% or more, bathed in natural light, hitting targets like 2% for offices or 3% for healthcare. It’s got to spread evenly too, no patchy shadows allowed. Glare’s a no-no, so blinds or shades are key, and artificial lights need to hit the right brightness, like 300 lux for offices, without flickering. Plus, people want control, so zoning means small groups can adjust their lights independently.
The Catch: Older buildings can be stingy with windows, and designing for modern lighting in odd layouts can feel like a jigsaw puzzle. Getting zoning right in tight or open-plan spaces adds another layer.
Our Play: We design with fittings like the Rio Suspended to nail brightness and evenness effortlessly, and we plan zoning with smart controls, think sensors or switches, that give users flexibility without the fuss. We supply the gear and the game plan, ready for a seamless fit.
Powering Up Efficiency with Controls
Energy’s a big deal for BREEAM, and clever lighting controls can earn you up to 15 credits by slashing power use. Think dimmers that ease off when daylight’s strong, or sensors that switch lights off when no one’s around, simple moves that add up to a better Energy Performance Rating and lower bills.
The Catch: Old setups might not play nice with modern controls, and proving those energy savings needs real data, which can stall you if you’re starting from scratch.
Our Play: We design with LEDs that hit over 100 lumens per Watt, paired with controls like dimmers and sensors that sync with daylight or occupancy, smart, simple, and supplied by us. We run the numbers early, handing you solid proof to bag those credits without the guesswork. It’s all about the plan and the products,no installation headaches on our end.
How We Make It Easy for You
These details can feel like a puzzle, but we’ve got the pieces sorted. We design and supply lighting solutions that boost comfort, save energy with controls, and fit your project’s scope—whether it’s a full refurb or a quick fit-out. Less stress, more wins—that’s how we roll
BREEAM in Action: Real Projects, Real Results
We’ve seen BREEAM transform spaces firsthand, and our lighting designs have played a starring role. Here are a couple of standouts from our portfolio:
London Office Revamp (CAT A) – BREEAM ‘Excellent’
Picture this: a 6,592 sq. ft office in London’s EC1, decked out with 10,000 plants and a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. We poured 75 design hours into this one, rolling out our Rio Suspended Direct/Indirect and track systems. The result? A space that’s as sustainable as it is stylish, blending daylight optimisation with energy-efficient LEDs to hit those high BREEAM marks.
Manchester Fit-Out (CAT B) – BREEAM ‘Excellent’
Over in Manchester, we tackled a 3,600 sq. ft fit-out in a 1960s building, turning it into a modern marvel with another ‘Excellent’ rating. With 36 design hours, we brought in Rio Suspended, Suna track, and Venta track solutions. Smart controls and glare-busting designs made this refurb a standout, proving old buildings can shine with the right sustainable upgrades.
These projects show how BREEAM certification isn’t just a badge—it’s a testament to smarter design, with lighting leading the charge.
How 299 Lighting Supports Contractors to Nail BREEAM
For contractors, hitting BREEAM targets can feel like a tightrope walk. That’s where we come in—your lighting partner from concept to completion. Here’s how we’ve got your back:
Early Collaboration, Big Wins
We jump in early—think RIBA Stage 1—working hand-in-hand with contractors to map out lighting strategies that tick every BREEAM box.
Tailored Solutions, Every Time
Whether it’s glare control for a classroom or external lighting for a car park, we design with precision. Our projects—like the London office and Manchester fit-out—prove we can adapt to any scope, delivering compliant, creative lighting that boosts those all-important credits.
Technical Expertise You Can Trust
From product samples to detailed calculations, we bring the know-how contractors need to stay on track. We’ve teamed up with firms like Cundall and Hollis, blending our designs with CIBSE standards to make BREEAM compliance seamless and stress-free.
Our track record speaks for itself: sustainable lighting that doesn’t just meet expectations but exceeds them, helping contractors deliver projects that stand out for all the right reasons.
The BREEAM Payoff
Why bother with BREEAM? It’s not just about a shiny certificate. It’s about buildings that last longer, cost less to run, and feel better to work in. For refurb projects, it’s a chance to breathe new life into old spaces without starting from scratch. And with us in your corner, the lighting part’s sorted—designed to dazzle, supplied to succeed.
Ready to take your project to the next level? Get in touch with us today, and let’s create something brilliant—together.
Information has been sourced by BREEAM SD216 Issue 2.0 03/11/2020
