How can green building ratings be used to renovate an existing building?

Everybody wants their properties to be sustainable but people are inundated with lots of information and most of them are confusing to the layman. A simple method to start moving towards green building is to 1. Identify your major energy guzzlers. It can be Lights, Fans, HVAC system or any other system 2. Once you have identified this major energy consumer, drill down the data to identify the top ten energy consuming spaces. Eg For hotels, it can be the reception lobby, for offices it can be common areas. 3. Once this list of top ten spaces are with you , choose the areas wherein you can implement simple energy saving methods like operate these based on timer, or sensors. This should give you noticeable benefits.

Also Edge system can be considered for existing building, major renovations, and new construction. Edge defines weather the building has met the minimum of 20% reduction in Energy, Water, and Embodied energy in materials compare to a base case building.

Green building ratings like LEED and BREEAM can guide your renovation project towards sustainability. by: 1. Pick your purpose: Align the rating system with your priorities, like energy efficiency or water conservation. Consider budget and timeline too. 2. Set the bar: Assess your building's current performance and define improvement goals based on the chosen rating system's categories. 3. Renovate with smarts: Incorporate green features like energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and recycled materials. 4. Document and verify: Keep records of your green efforts for potential certification. 5. Keep improving: Regularly monitor your building's performance and seek new ways to go greener.

A refurbishment project is likely to be more successful where there are clear lines of responsibility and effective communication to ensure that the client’s requirements are fulfilled in accordance with the specification across all trades and professions. There are a number of steps that can be taken to ensure the project’s success are: Appoint a project manager, Ensure the project runs on time and to budget, Write a project implementation plan, Hold an initiation meeting, Record keeping, Meeting legal obligations, Getting the right professionals involved.

The waste generation is an item which shall be monitored closely. Starting first of all by the segregation of waste. Then the re-use of the waste as is or after transformation. Therefore the materials demolished from the building for the renovation need to be quantified and rated according to the extent of re-use.

To monitor the building performance in term of energy and water, you have to install a building level energy and water meters that has a specific functions and it will he better if it can be connected to the BMS system, then you can read the output data more easily and compare it with the baseline. Regarding the Waste, here i believe its for the operation waste not the construction waste. For this you need to categories the waste types that the building is generating, segregate them, then check for the sustainable ways of disposal like reusing, recycling, selling … etc

According to BREEAM standard,to make sure that the refurbishment work meets health,safety,energy efficiency and accessibility standards all work needs to be notified to and approved by Local Authority Building Control.Before carrying out work,you need to determine whether or not building regulations apply to the building work being carried out.Generally for extension or alteration to an existing building and the installation of services or fittings,require building relations.There are three routes to making sure building regulations are complied with which are:Applying for approval though your local council,Applying for approval though a private approved inspector (England and Wales only),Appointing a Competent Person to carry out the work.

Overall, while there may be challenges associated with renovating a building with a rating system like complexity and limited availability of materials, technologies and retrofitting challenges, the advantages, such as improved energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, increased property value, and enhanced occupant well-being, make it a worthwhile endeavor for many building owners and occupants.

There are plenty of challenges surrounding the complexity of the certification, client expectations and budget, but despite these challenges, the long-term benefits of green building certifications often outweigh the initial difficulties, providing a sustainable and resilient building with lower operating costs and positive environmental, economic, and social impacts. Successful integration of green building principles in renovations requires careful planning, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability.

I would like to introduce and discuss some of the prominent rating systems for green building in the Middle East. 1.GSAS(Global Sustainability Assessment System):It covers various aspects such as energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and materials used in Qatar. 2.Mostadam in Saudi Arabia:Mostadam is a green building rating system developed by the Saudi Green Building Forum.It aims to promote sustainable construction practices and reduce the environmental impact of buildings in Saudi Arabia. 3.Pearl Rating System in Abu Dhabi:The Pearl Rating System is specifically designed for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.It focuses on energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site development.