LEnSE
is supported by the European Commission within the Sixth Framework Program
Workpackages
Work Package 2 "Development of a sustainability assessment methodology"
Based on the outputs of subtask 1.1 and 1.2, an overall assessment methodology will be developed for the evaluation of the sustainability of a building. The content of the assessment will be developed for a limited, but representative range of key issues. The objective is to develop a prototype of the methodology for further testing and adjustment via case study buildings.
The assessment method would provide the basis for future development beyond the scope of this project.
- Subtask 2.1 - Structure and format of the methodology
Different options will be considered for the methodology, including an IT based calculation tool and simple spreadsheet based tool, a checklist or an independently audited assessment service. This will ensure that the method is both user-friendly and as flexible as possible in terms of its future development.
The work will seek to encompass the list of issues identified in WP1 and will investigate the need for weightings and the means of achieving these. The aim will be to convey the assessment results in a simple and clear way to designers, users and procurers of buildings.
- Subtask 2.2 - Content of the assessment
The project partners will develop criteria for a limited, but representative range of the key issues in order to allow the development of an assessment with a graded scale output. The criteria will be selected as far as is possible to ensure that they are relevant in all partner countries. The team will identify appropriate guidelines for setting local variations to ensure a consistent European approach.
Partners will consult local industry and government/local government groups to ensure the relevance of criteria being developed.
- Subtask 2.3 - Development of a prototype assessment tool
This subtask will develop an IT based prototype assessment tool based on the outputs from Subtask 2.1 and 2.2. It is envisaged that this tool will be for the use of project partners in testing the methodology at a national level.
- Subtask 2.4 - Testing of the methodology
The prototype assessment tool will be used by partners to test the assessment structure and scoring system at a national level. It is envisaged that this test will take the form of a pilot period during which minimum 10 case studies will be evaluated. In order to guarantee a balanced geographical spread of the case studies, minimum 1 case study will be performed in each partner country. Existing, refurbishment and new-built projects will all be evaluated in the project.
The results of the pilot stage will be presented to a panel of national stakeholders. In addition, a trans-national expert workshop will be organised where the different target groups of the methodology (architects, owners, promoters, national/local authorities …) will be given the opportunity to test the methodology themselves on a case study building.