Performance of exemplar buildings in use: Bridging the performance gap FB 78
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Performance of exemplar buildings in use: Bridging the performance gap (FB 78) was edited by Yetunde Abdul and Mindy Hadi and published by BRE on 17 February 2016.
The 32-page report reviews the operational performance of three public-sector office buildings that were designed to achieve energy and water efficiency (although many of the lessons learned are equally applicable to the private sector).
It is based on a study carried out in 2010–2012, funded by BRE Trust, the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which highlighted the benefits and challenges of environmental design in relation to the building handover process and the management of facilities.
All of the buildings were completed between 2005 and 2008, allowing enough time for the systems to bed down and for the building managers and FM teams to become familiar with managing them. They were designed to achieve an Excellent rating based on the version of BREEAM used at the time. They were reviewed for their energy and water consumption, and consumption trends were analysed. Feedback on their general operational performance was gathered from public-sector staff and their facilities management teams.
The report reviews the issues faced by designers, clients and building managers in bridging the gap between the designed performance and the actual operational performance of buildings over their lifetime.
The contents of the report are:
- Executive summary.
- Introduction.
- Background.
- Analysing data for the case study buildings.
- Case study 1.
- Case study 2.
- Case study 3.
- Summary of environmental performance for the case studies.
- Summary of issues identified and lessons learned.
- Outcomes and conclusions.
- Discussion.
- Moving forward: tools and initiatives.
- References.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BREEAM.
- Building performance evaluation programme.
- Building performance evaluation.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Building use studies (BUS).
- Closing the gap between design and as-built performance.
- Performance gap.
- Performance in use.
- Post occupancy evaluation.
- Post project review.
- QUANTUM project.
- Soft landings.
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.