SpencerMayes
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Soft Landings and Design for Performance
Design for Performance (DfP) is referenced by the 2018 update of the Soft Landings Framework. This article explains what it is and its objective to close the energy gap.
Design for Performance (DfP) aims to change the way we design new commercial office developments in the UK and end the culture of satisfying theoretical energy efficiency metrics. DfP instead targets performance outcomes, using a process which commits a signatory from the outset to achieving a specific base building an energy rating, verified by measurement.
Unlike the energy used by tenants for their lighting and IT, a base building energy rating can be secured by a developer with support from supply side stakeholders. Because it represents the operational energy efficiency of the property asset, the base building rating is a metric of interest to investors targeting lower carbon portfolios and, notably, to potential tenants, because it can be associated with building quality, reflecting the reality that a better rating will be the result where a building is better designed, better constructed, better commissioned and better maintained and operated. At present, the UK commercial office market targets compliance with Building Regulations and EPC ratings: energy efficiency endeavours currently focus on design and technology that improve predicted performance. DfP requires a relentless focus on performance outcomes, with specific activities required at each Soft Landings Phase, as follows. Read more