Systems Engineering applied in the construction industry to achieve a BREEAM certification

Abstract

Buildings have environmental impacts over their entire life cycle, which often exceed 50 years. Today buildings are responsible for 40‐50% of all energy usage and anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions globally. Green constructions are gaining increased attention, and a variety of building certifications provide a rating system designed to help develop buildings that are more sustainable, i.e., energy efficient, with zero emissions. BREEAM is a well‐known certificate with a clear outcome, and by satisfying different targets a building may gain points to achieve a certain benchmark rating. The construction industry in the last decade has shown an increased interest in Systems Engineering (SE). This thesis investigates the barriers to BREEAM and considers whether SE practices can help systematize the assessment process and make it less resource intensive. The research shows that there is a desire in the industry for a more systematic approach to achieving a BREEAM certification. The results indicate that an early life phase investment with a high focus on the requirements, in addition to a systematic use of the V‐model and hierarchy diagram, is useful.