Decathlon – BREEAM Sustainability Rating

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)

Construction began on Decathlon’s new Dublin flagship store in September 2019.

Lawler Sustainability was chosen to partner Manning Construction Group, the construction contractor for the development, due to our significant experience in attaining sustainability credentials.

Acting as the BREEAM champion for the project, our team worked closely with Manning Construction Group to deliver a build that achieves all of the overall BREEAM credentials.

We targeted a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ which requires a score of greater than 55%.

To achieve this rating, our team needed to assist Manning Construction Group in meeting a range of contractor credits. These included:

• Man 03 Responsible Construction Practices – this involves monitoring site energy and water consumption, transport-related carbon and using FSC certified timber
• Man 04 Commissioning and Handover – the contractor is responsible for preparing a BREEAM compliant Building User Guide to distribute to the staff and facilities team in the building
• Man 05 Aftercare – aftercare support is to be provided to building occupants for 12 months post-occupation

The BREEAM Process

The BREEAM process is a two-stage process –  Design Stage and Post Construction Stage.

Careful management of design and construction information and evidence gathering is also required to ensure no credits are lost.

Luckily, we are well adverse in BREEAM. Our Director Jason Smith is a BREEAM Accredited Professional and as a BREEAM Champion, along with Laura Nolan (our BREEAM Assessor), worked brilliantly to ensure each credential was met.

Decathlon opened in Spring 2020 and the BREEAM assessment was submitted to the BRE in Watford in the UK for final certification shortly afterward. The final certification was officially awarded following an on-site inspection by the BREEAM Assessor to validate the information provided.