Stage 1: Preparation & Brief

Work Stage Actions & Internal Guidance

01
Net Zero Operational Carbon Dioxide emissions

Net Zero operational carbon for new build and retrofit, measured as kWh/m²/year and kgCO₂e/m²/year, validated in use.

Stage Goals
Design Team Actions

Set operational energy performance targets

Define metrics for Energy Intensity, Heating Demand, and Airtightness.
Assign ownership of targets.

Define modelling and verification strategy

Select modelling method (e.g. TM54, PHPP).
Confirm verification plan (Airtightness, Commissioning, POE).

Define controls and usability requirements

Determine controls strategy (Manual/Automated).
Specify user interface requirements.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Operational Energy Brief
✓ Stage 7 POE One-Pager
✓ Controls & Usability Checklist
05
Sustainable Connectivity & Transport

Maximise sustainable travel and minimise car dependency, demonstrated through mode share, accessibility, and reduced transport-related emissions.

Stage Goals
Design Team Actions

Transport objectives must be embedded in the brief to resist late-stage parking creep.

Include sustainable transport and parking strategies in the Project Brief.
Confirm requirement for Transport Assessment or Travel Plan.
Align proposals with Local Transport Plan policies.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Project Brief (transport section)
✓ TA / Travel Plan scope note
06
Sustainable Health & Wellbeing

Deliver healthy, comfortable, and safe environments, demonstrated through indoor environmental quality, thermal comfort, and occupant wellbeing indicators.

Stage Goals
Design Team Actions

Health objectives must be explicit to avoid being eroded by cost or programme pressures.

Include IEQ, comfort, and safety requirements in the Project Brief.
Agree assessment methods (e.g. TM59, daylight analysis).
Identify occupant profiles and vulnerability.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Project Brief (health & wellbeing section)
✓ Assessment methodology note
07
Sustainable Communities & Social Value

Deliver measurable social value and inclusive community outcomes, demonstrated through access, use, safety, participation, and long-term community benefit.

Stage Goals
Design Team Actions

If social outcomes are not in the brief, they will not survive cost and programme pressure.

Embed social value objectives into the Project Brief.
Identify access, safety, and inclusivity priorities.
Define consultation and engagement approach.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Project Brief (social value section)
✓ Engagement strategy outline
08
Sustainable Life Cycle Costing and Procurement

Achieve demonstrably lowest whole-life cost consistent with performance objectives, assessed through structured life cycle cost analysis.

Stage Goals
Design Team Actions

If whole-life value is not embedded in the brief, short-term cost cutting will dominate.

Include life cycle cost objectives in the Project Brief.
Align cost strategy with sustainability and performance targets.
Agree reporting format and assumptions.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Project Brief (whole-life cost section)
✓ Cost assumptions register

Recommended Reading

LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide (2020) • Net Zero Operational Carbon Dioxide emissions
RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge • Net Zero Operational Carbon Dioxide emissions
ICE Database (v3, 2020) • Net Zero Embodied Carbon
CIRIA SuDS Manual (C753) • Sustainable Water Cycle
DEFRA Statutory Biodiversity Metric - User Guide • Sustainable Land Use & Ecology
CIEEM Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) Guidelines • Sustainable Land Use & Ecology
PAS 2080 – Carbon Management in Infrastructure • Sustainable Connectivity & Transport
WELL Building Standard v2 • Sustainable Health & Wellbeing
WHO Housing and Health Guidelines • Sustainable Health & Wellbeing
UKGBC Guide for Delivering Social Value on Built Environment Projects • Sustainable Communities & Social Value
UK Government Social Value Model • Sustainable Communities & Social Value
BS ISO 37106 – Sustainable Cities and Communities • Sustainable Communities & Social Value
BS EN 15978 – Environmental Performance of Buildings • Sustainable Life Cycle Costing and Procurement
HM Treasury Green Book (2022) • Sustainable Life Cycle Costing and Procurement
BREEAM New Construction – Technical Manual • Sustainable Life Cycle Costing and Procurement