How the new BREEAM Refurbishment Sector Supplement facilitates certification for renovation

Having explored What is BREEAM certification? y How is it applied in buildings in use, in this article we delve into one of its most relevant new features: The new Conditioning Annex. The new tool for BREAAM ES simplifying environmental assessments for refurbishments and fitting-out works, removing the need for processes A medida.

Introduction

sustainability is no longer limited to new builds. Increasingly, reforms y conditions become the key tool for updating the built environment and reducing its environmental impact. A large part of the projects currently being developed in Spain consist of adapt existing buildings for new uses, to improve its efficiency or to update its interior design.

Until now, applying an environmental certification such as BREEAM ES to these types of projects has been a challenge: it has been necessary to resort to a Bespoke process, with specific technical and documentary adaptation for each case. This implies long processes y higher certification costs.

Source: BREEAM ES New Construction 2015 Annex: Fit-out

With the launch of the new Fitting Attachment, BREEAM ES offers for the first time a tool official and standardised to evaluate these types of interventions. This novelty marks a Before and after for environmental certification of renovations, Simplifying and streamlining the process.

In Evaluate, we had the privilege of participating as pilot project, working alongside BREEAM ES to test the annex and validate its practical application in a real-world case.

A tool adapted to reforms

The Fitting Attachment was established as an extension of the BREEAM ES New Construction 2015 Manual, with the aim of adapting the BREEAM methodology to the particular context of Partial renovations, interior works o System updates.

With its publication, it is no longer necessary to carry out bespoke processes for this type of project.

The application structure is thus clearly defined:

• Complete renovation or full refurbishment apply the BREEAM ES New Construction 2015 Manual, since the scope affects the building's structure, envelope and main systems.
• Refurbishment or partial renovation apply the New BREEAM Refurbishment Annexe, intended for interventions that do not substantially alter the envelope or structure, but rather update interior spaces, installations, or finishes.

This annex introduces revised requirements which replace part of the original content of the New Construction manual, adapting the credits to the reality of partial or interior works.

It also incorporates a specific assessment tool, which allows you to perform pre-assessments y Follow-ups of projects in a more agile and precise way.

How the BREEAM Refurbishment Addendum Works

The annex structures the evaluation into four parts, which are applied based on the Real scope of the intervention.
If the work includes performances by Part 1 (encompassing structure), the complete New Construction manual must be applied.

1. Part 1 – Enclosure and structure. Applies when the work affects the building's main structural elements or thermal envelope.
2. Part 2 – Basic or central facilities. Evaluates common systems such as air conditioning, ventilation, or general plumbing.
3. Part 3 – Local Facilities. Consider the specific facilities of particular zones or floors within the property.
4. Part 4 – Interior Design. Include materials, finishes, interior lighting, acoustics, and environmental comfort.

Each project can activate only the parts that correspond to your scope, reducing the documentary burden and increasing the accuracy of the assessment.

This approach allows very diverse projects – from office refurbishments to HVAC upgrades or interior redesigns – to be certified with BREEAM in a consistent and proportionate manner.

Source: BREEAM ES New Construction 2015 Annex: Fit-out

Evaluation, first pilot project of the new annex

During the development phase of the Conditioning Annex, Evaluate participated as pilot project, applying the tool for the first time in a real conditioning case.

Working together with BREAAM ES allowed testing of the registration, assessment and documentation procedures, identification of improvement opportunities, and validation of the clarity of the new requirements.

Thanks to this collaboration, it was proven that the BREEAM Fit-out Accelerates the certification process, simplifies technical interpretation, and ensures an evaluation Coherent and transparent.

This experience confirmed that the tool can be applied practically and effectively in projects of different scales, from partial interventions to tertiary use renovations.

Key advantages of the new approach

The BREEAM Fit-out It offers multiple benefits for advisors, developers, and design teams alike:

• End of the bespoke process. The projects of air conditioning they no longer require custom development of criteria.
• Standardisation and consistency. If the way reforms are evaluated within the official framework is unified BREAAM ES.
• Flexibility. The evaluation aligns with the actual scope of the intervention, without penalising unaffected areas.
• Reduction of time and effort. Redundant documentation is removed and review stages are streamlined.
• Greater applicability. Ideal for office projects, commercial premises, hotels or spaces undergoing renovation.

Together, this annex converts the certification of BREEAM fit-out in a process Faster, clearer, and more accessible, aligned with the real needs of the market.

Source: Evalore. Pilot office project in Barcelona.

Towards a more sustainable built park

The Conditioning Annex represents a decisive step towards simplification and expansion on environmental certification in existing buildings.

Thanks to this new tool, BREEAM ES strengthens its role as a benchmark standard not only in new construction, but also in Improvement and modernisation of the constructed park.

Stop Evaluate, to have been part of the pilot project from this annex has been a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of solutions that facilitate the transition towards more efficient, healthy, and sustainable buildings.

If you are planning a renovation and want to apply BREEAM in an agile and efficient way, Evaluate We will support you throughout the entire process of turning your refurbishment project into a benchmark for sustainability.

Camila Harguindeguy

Civil Engineer and Sustainability Consultant, Espacios Evalore SLP