Building Back Better: Resilience
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
In its work to provide resources for the construction sector, BREEAM has created the online briefing hub, ‘Building Back Better with BREEAM: Supporting the green recovery’. The hub gathers a collection of briefing papers that reflect BREEAM’s position on important issues.
[edit] Resilience
The BREEAM vision for a fair and appropriate built environment is one that demonstrates social sensitivity in a manner that benefits long-term economic growth, wellbeing, resilience and inclusion. To reflect this vision, BREEAM has published a briefing paper, 'Encouraging resilient assets using BREEAM'.
The paper identifies resilience as something more than just surviving events that may cause physical damage or create business disruptions. It is defined as ‘the capacity of built assets and infrastructure to endure acute shocks and chronic stresses while successfully adapting to long-term changes’.
BREEAM Director Shamir Ghumra stresses the significance of resilience during times of turmoil, saying; “...instilling resilience in response to physical, social and transition risks is becoming a priority, as part of a risk management mechanism that can protect people, property and the planet.”
[edit] The Four Rs of resilience
The briefing paper outlines a vision for a built environment in which resilience is integrated into assets that are sustainable, and beneficial to the environment and to the health and wellbeing of those who use them. It can be demonstrated through four key features, arranged in the order in which they are being incorporated into the BREEAM family of standards:
- Resistance. Preventing damage or disruption by providing the strength or protection to resist the hazard or its primary impact.
- Reliability. Designing assets or systems to operate under a range of set conditions in order to mitigate damage or loss from an event.
- Redundancy. Making available backup installations or spare capacity to enable operations to be switched or diverted to alternative parts of the system in the event of disruption to ensure continuity of service.
- Response and recovery. Enabling a fast and effective response to, and recovery from, disruptive events.
[edit] Future thinking
BREEAM intends to continue its work integrating resilience across its standards and supporting a whole life performance approach for projects. The goal is to ensure resilience can be achieved across life cycles by linking the design, construction and performance of the completed project and the use of the asset once it is occupied.
BREEAM also hopes to identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will support and demonstrate how resilience is achieved through application. For instance, incorporating measures combating natural hazards and reducing the probability of flooding in high risk areas.
Find out more at: https://files.bregroup.com/breeam/BREEAM_Resilience_BRE_115440.pdf
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BREEAM Designing for durability and resilience.
- BREEAM In-Use Version 6 environmental standard launched by BRE.
- BREEAM: The Next Generation.
- BREEAM USA In-Use Version 6.
- Building Back Better: Circularity and BREEAM.
- Building Back Better: Health.
- Building Back Better: Net zero carbon and BREEAM.
- Building Back Better: Social impact.
- Building back better with BREEAM.
- Building flood resilience.
- Managing and responding to disaster.
- Property flood resilience.
- Resilience.
- Risk management.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.