BVI.EU achieves BREEAM Excellent with limited scope for improvement

BVI.EU developed Europe 131 in Waver, an energy-positive office building of 3,627 m² on a former industrial brownfield site. BREEAM was incorporated once a large part of the project had already been finalised. With targeted guidance from Encon, Europe 131 achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Existing design choices limit scope for optimisation

Europe 131 marks the final stage in the redevelopment of a 30,000 m² industrial brownfield site in the Parc de l’Europe in Waver. The building offers 3,627 m² of flexible office and showroom space and incorporates, amongst other features, an open geothermal system, triple glazing, additional insulation, energy management and approximately 659 solar panels. According to BVI.EU, the building produces more renewable energy annually than it consumes.

BREEAM was introduced when a large part of the project had already been finalised. Various design and construction choices that influence a BREEAM score had already been made by that point. As a result, the design could no longer be freely optimised to achieve additional credits. To achieve the ‘Excellent’ rating, BVI.EU therefore had to make the most of what was still feasible within the existing design, whilst ensuring that no available points were lost.

Encon monitors every achievable BREEAM credit

Encon began with a targeted gap analysis of the existing project and identified which BREEAM credits were still realistically achievable. Based on this, the remaining opportunities were prioritised. Encon coordinated the necessary actions with the design team and monitored both the technical requirements and the associated evidence and documentation.

This guidance made all the difference in a project with limited scope for manoeuvre. Rather than reopening the design, Encon concentrated its efforts on credits that could still be secured within the existing project context. At the same time, the team systematically followed up on the remaining points. According to project feedback, not a single identified point was overlooked during the process.

‘Excellent’ rating strengthens Europe 131’s market position

Europe 131 achieved BREEAM Excellent. This provides BVI.EU with an independent certificate that objectively substantiates the building’s quality and various sustainability performances.

This demonstrable evidence also has commercial value. For potential tenants and investors, BREEAM offers an independent benchmark for, amongst other things, energy performance, comfort and ESG performance. For BVI.EU, the certification supports the positioning of Europe 131 in the property market and helps to mitigate risks relating to future quality requirements and stakeholder expectations. In this way, the investment in certification also serves as a tool to demonstrate the quality and future-proofing of the property.