Stage 3: Spatial Coordination

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

Coordinate strategy across disciplines

Run realistic operational energy modelling (TM54).
Coordinate MEP + fabric interfaces.

Freeze energy intent at Stage 3

Lock form, orientation, WWR, and system concepts.
Set change control trigger.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Performance Gap Risk Register
✓ Operational Energy Brief
02
Net Zero Embodied Carbon

Net Zero embodied carbon across the building lifecycle, measured in kgCO₂e/m², using whole-life carbon assessment and verified data.

Stage Goals
Design Team Actions

This is the last stage where major carbon reductions can be achieved without cost or redesign penalties.

Update whole-life carbon assessment with coordinated design inputs.
Rationalise assemblies and interfaces to avoid duplication and over-specification.
Lock in low-carbon material strategies.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Stage 3 whole-life carbon report
✓ Carbon-informed design freeze record
03
Sustainable Water Cycle

Minimise potable water use and manage surface water sustainably, measured through litres/person/day, runoff rates and flood-risk compliance. Achieve 40% reduction in potable water use per person per day

Stage Goals
Design Team Actions

This is where drainage conflicts and over-engineering often emerge.

Coordinate architecture, landscape, and civil engineering inputs.
Finalise runoff rates, attenuation volumes, and discharge strategies.
Confirm maintenance access and responsibilities.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Coordinated drainage drawings
✓ Updated water-use calculations
04
Sustainable Land Use & Ecology

Achieve biodiversity net gain and responsible land use, demonstrated through measurable habitat uplift, soil protection, and long-term management.

Stage Goals
Design Team Actions

This is the last stage to materially improve biodiversity outcomes without redesign.

Coordinate architecture, landscape, and engineering to protect habitats.
Finalise habitat types, extents, and connectivity.
Confirm long-term management responsibilities.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Coordinated landscape/ecology drawings
✓ Updated BNG assessment
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

Poor coordination leads to unsafe routes and compromised accessibility.

Coordinate architecture, landscape, highways, and servicing.
Resolve conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles, and servicing.
Finalise access arrangements and gradients.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Coordinated access & movement drawings
✓ Updated Transport Assessment inputs
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

Conflicting requirements often emerge here, undermining comfort.

Coordinate façade, structure, and services to protect IEQ.
Refine acoustic and thermal strategies.
Update risk assessments.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Coordinated IEQ strategy
✓ Updated performance modelling
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

Poor coordination often undermines accessibility and usability.

Coordinate access routes, gradients, lighting, and visibility.
Resolve conflicts between security, openness, and inclusivity.
Update social value commitments.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Coordinated access & public realm drawings
✓ Updated social value statement
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

This is the last stage to meaningfully influence life cycle cost without redesign.

Update LCC with coordinated design information.
Rationalise assemblies to reduce maintenance burden.
Lock in long-life / low-maintenance strategies.
REQUIRED OUTPUTS
✓ Stage 3 LCC update
✓ Life cycle cost risk register

Recommended Reading

LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide (2020) • Net Zero Operational Carbon Dioxide emissions
CIBSE TM54 • Net Zero Operational Carbon Dioxide emissions
RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (2nd ed, 2023) • Net Zero Embodied Carbon
ICE Database (v3, 2020) • Net Zero Embodied Carbon
ISE Guide – How to Calculate Embodied Carbon (2020) • Net Zero Embodied Carbon
CIRIA SuDS Manual (C753) • Sustainable Water Cycle
BS EN 16941-1:2024 • Sustainable Water Cycle
DEFRA Statutory Biodiversity Metric - User Guide • Sustainable Land Use & Ecology
CIEEM Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) Guidelines • Sustainable Land Use & Ecology
Natural England – Green Infrastructure Framework • Sustainable Land Use & Ecology
Manual for Streets (MfS1 & MfS2) • Sustainable Connectivity & Transport
PAS 2080 – Carbon Management in Infrastructure • Sustainable Connectivity & Transport
WELL Building Standard v2 • Sustainable Health & Wellbeing
CIBSE TM52 / TM59 – Overheating Assessment • 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 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