Design Consultancy Services.
Concept Design & Masterplanning
Formulating an initial approach to any development project is a complex process. Balancing the functional needs of the proposed building with budgetary constraints, site restrictions and local & national planning regulations can be very difficult. Add to this the fact that decision made at this early stage can have consequences on environmental performance and running costs for years to come.
Our input at this early stage of a project can be of huge benefit to any project. Our engineers are vastly experienced in providing advice to clients and architects during this critical phase.
Assistance with Planning Applications
Many local authorities now require that the sustainability of any proposed development be assessed prior to submission of planning applications. This may include provisional BER certification or Building Regulation Part L compliance checks. Some authorities also require “Energy Statements” or similar sustainability strategy documents which set out the environmental credentials of the development.
At CECL, we have provided planning advice and assistance to several clients and design teams and are have extensive experience in drafting the documents necessary to support any planning submission.
BER Consultancy & Building Regulation Compliance Checks (PART L)
BER certification of new buildings has been required since June 2008 (for non-domestic buildings) and is now a well established component of the design process.
A less well understood fact is that the same software tool (the Simplified Building Energy Model or “SBEM”) must now also be used to demonstrate Part L compliance. These checks should be carried out early in the design process by suitably qualified and trained persons to avoid difficulties with compliance later in the design process where changes may have a greater impact on the design, on costs or possibly even necesitate
a re-submission of a planning application.
Dynamic Simulation & Thermal Modelling
The current drive to design and build more energy efficient buildings has seen an increase in the use of passive building techniques such as natural ventilation, embedded slab cooling and solar shading devices among others.
These systems can prove very effective in providing a comfortable internal environment with reduced energy demands but it places a greater demand on the design team to ensure the building fabric
and Mechanical & Electrical services are designed correctly and compliment each other.
CECL provide thermal modeling analysis using the latest dynamic simulation software to assess the combination of the architectural design and the mechanical and electrical services designs. This process allows us to hone the proposed design to ensure that a comfortable internal environment will be achieved while minimising energy consumption.
Life Cycle Costing & Feasibility Studies
Given the vast array of renewable energy technologies available and the often contradictory claims made by manufacturers, it is vital to ensure that any technologies selected for your project are both technically feasible and are cost effective.
Wheather for new build or retro-fit situations we can provide an impartial assessment of all renewable energy technologies without any pre-disposition to any one solution. Different technologies work in different applications and our detailed analysis of the energy needs of a development, the technical merits of the technologies available and the life cycle assessment of cost and carbon emissions enable us to make clear and concise recommendations for any project.
BREEAM Assessments
A BREEAM Assessment is an environmental assessment of a construction project which rates a buildings’ environmental credentials based on various internationally recognised criteria.
CECL are a registered BREEAM Assessment Company. Click here to find out more.
Building Services Design
As a wholly owned subsidiary of Homan O’Brien Associates (HOBA) CECL can also offer our clients full Mechanical and Electrical Building Services design consultancy. HOBA have over 30 years experience in building services design and also have very strong sustainable design credentials, having won various awards in this area.
Click here to visit the Homan O'Brien Associates website or contact us to learn more about how our two organisations can combine to offer a complete sustainable design solution for your project.