First BREEAM award for Wales

Wales’ greenest buildings have been recognised in the first ever BREEAM Awards for the region.

Jane Davidson minister for the environment, sustainability and housing and Nick Tune of BRE Wales presented the awards at the Greener Homes and Building Exhibition today.

The awards were created this year to recognise and reward those involved in the design and construction of the highest scoring buildings certified under BREEAM in Wales.

Davidson said: “I am delighted to be able to present these awards to reward and recognise the commitment that they have shown in helping to deliver the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitments for building sustainably.

“These winning developments showcase this good work in practice. Projects like these will help us meet our One Wales commitments for reducing carbon emissions, and to improve our energy efficiency in the fight against climate change.”

In order to win an award, each building must have excelled in every environmental category within BREEAM.

Tune said: “There are over 100 buildings in Wales now assessed and certified under BREEAM in just a few short years. We are delighted to showcase the best of these through our Awards and work with the Welsh Assembly and the Welsh construction industry to develop real exemplars of sustainable building.”

The three developments highlighted this year for their outstanding achievement in environmental design and management are:

Bespoke BREEAM

New Construction & Technology Block
Pembrokeshire College, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
Developer: Pembrokeshire College
Architect : Austin-Smith:Lord
BREEAM Score: 72.54%

EcoHomes

Plots 1-178, Glasdir, Ruthin
Developer : George Wimpey North West – A Taylor Wimpey Company
BREEAM Score: 73.06%

Ian McCann, associate technical director at George Wimpey North West, said: “This development being the first EcoHomes EXCELLENT in Wales is a credit to the company’s commitment to sustainability and the Welsh BREEAM awards act as a valuable benchmark in this area and is tangible recognition that we are delivering against the most demanding objectives.”

BREEAM Offices

Unit 5, Great Oak Business Park, Llanidloes
Developer: Welsh Development Agency (Welsh Assembly Government)
Architect: B3 Burgess
BREEAM Score: 73.43%

Brian Evans, senior construction manager at the Welsh Development Agency, said: “The use of BREEAM Standards on our projects focuses the mind of both client and design team members in providing facilities that meets the demands of current strategies and policies. BREEAM outlines the targets in which to provide a sustainable building unit for the benefit of occupiers.”