breeam training for architects

What is BREEAM?

Just like we wrote in our post on LEED accreditation, you simply can’t ignore the sustainability trend in architecture, city planning, construction, or design anymore. The demand for sustainable building solutions grows by 20% each year.

Moreover, if you want to stay competitive and increase your revenue as a professional, you must have the credentials to your name.

In the UK, the credentials are BREEAM. 

BREEAM stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. It is a sustainability assessment method for buildings, first developed in the 1990s. 

BREEAM has become widely used around the world now. The framework measures the environmental impact of buildings and construction projects. It uses a range of sustainability issues, such as energy and water use, materials and waste, health and well-being, and ecology, as metrics.

So far, BREEAM is a globally acknowledged certification that’s been around the longest. Other systems like LEED are starting to catch on, but catching up with BREEAM will take some time.

Reasons to get BREEAM training

First, by being trained in BREEAM certification methods and techniques, you will be able to offer more services to your clients or, on the other hand, niche down your offer and target markets to BREEAM consulting.

Second, as the World Green Building Council has concluded – budgets for green-certified projects are a lot higher on average than those following conventional certifications.

Third, when you become a BREEAM assessor, you ensure your career as an architect is future-proof. Sustainable architecture is not going anywhere, and if you want to stay competitive, you need to be a part of the world’s oldest and most established sustainable architecture framework.

Last but by no means least, the sustainability of your projects matters. Your clients and end users will appreciate a building that stays warm, saves energy, and leaves little footprint on the environment.

Getting certified and accredited with BREEAM as an individual 

As a professional, you can get BREEAM certified by completing the relevant BREEAM training courses and passing the required exams. 

Here’s the general timeline for becoming a BREEAM Assessor:

Choose your area of expertise & scheme

Different BREEAM project sustainability assessment schemes exist, such as New Construction, Refurbishment and Fit-out, In-Use, Communities, and so on. Choose the scheme that is the most relevant to your line of work – or think strategically and pick the scheme that will help you niche down and make more money.

Attend the BREEAM training courses

You must attend specific training courses for the BREEAM scheme you have picked. BREEAM training partners provide the training courses. Picking your BREEAM training provider is an important stage of preparation. There are many options to pick from – BRE Academy, Irish Green Building Council, Sustainability Exchange, and others. Things like training costs, schedule, locations, and course availability will 

Pass the assessments

Once you have completed the training courses, you must pass the assessments to become a certified BREEAM Assessor. The assessments are provided by BRE Global, the organization that oversees BREEAM.

Maintain your certification

To maintain your BREEAM certification, you must complete continuing professional development (CPD) activities and renew your certification every two years.

BREEAM Training levels

Several BREEAM training levels are available for individuals who wish to become BREEAM Accredited Professionals (APs) or In-Use Assessors. 

Here’s a list of the courses you will be coming across:

BREEAM AP Training

This course will turn you into a BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) with foundational knowledge and skills. BREEM AP Training includes general topics such as sustainable design principles, environmental assessment methodologies, and practical BREEAM assessment process instructions.

BREEAM In-Use Assessor Training

You will have to take these courses to become a BREEAM In-Use Assessor. The main point of the In-Use Assessor Training is to understand the In-Use methodology and topics such as building performance analysis, sustainability auditing, and benchmarking.

BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out Training

This course is designed for professionals working on refurbishing or fitting out existing buildings. It covers the BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out methodology, which assesses the environmental performance of refurbished or retrofitted buildings.

BREEAM International New Construction Training

This course introduces the BREEAM International New Construction methodology, which assesses the environmental performance of new buildings outside of the UK. It covers sustainable design principles, environmental assessment methodologies, and the BREEAM assessment process.

BREEAM training cost

The costs of BREEAM training can vary from provider to provider, and you may need to shop around and compare prices. 

Here’s what BRE Academy is charging for BREEAM training in 2023 to give you an idea:

BREEAM Training is a high-ROI investment into your career – you will soon be able to make up for all the expenses.

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