Design for Performance is the process whereby a developer or owner commits to design, build and commission a new office development or major refurbishment to achieve a specific NABERS Energy rating.
The UK has a design-for-compliance culture which has led to the well-known ‘performance gap’ that exists between original design intent and how a building truly performs in-use.
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Why use Design for Performance?
There are many reasons why a project should implement Design for Performance, including:
- Increased likelihood of achieving a net zero carbon development in operation by bridging the performance gap between design intent and operations
- Attraction of blue chip and/or anchor tenants, who often value or have requirements for sustainable buildings
- Reduced capital costs by specifying more appropriately sized plant and equipment
- Increased likelihood of achieving your desired build quality and operational performance
- Marketing and communications opportunities
- Respected process involving an expert third-party, Independent Design Review to highlight risks and opportunities
Read more about Design for Performance in our Fact Sheet.
The Design for Performance process
This flow diagram illustrates the Design for Performance process from Committing to a NABERS Energy Target Rating through to obtaining a full licence to promote your Design Reviewed Target Rating. Following this step, developers must reach out to a NABERS Licensed Assessor listed on GreenBookLive to register to NABERS Energy for Offices and obtain a NABERS Rating when the building is operational.
Please note: customers can obtain a NABERS Energy Rating for their operational buildings without having gone through the Design for Performance process.
1. Sign an agreement
Sign the Design for Performance Agreement and pay the fee.
- (please ensure you are using the most recent version of the DfP Agreement available on the website as this is regularly updated!)
- We’ll send you a counter-signed Agreement.
- You will then be able to promote your target Energy rating using approved wording.
Please note, if you want to promote your Target Rating, you must sign a DfP Agreement. If you haven’t signed a Design for Performance Agreement but have begun the Design for Performance process, you will not be able to obtain an Independent Design Review Certificate or promote your Target Rating until signing and paying the fees. Please see Schedule 1 of the Design for Performance Agreement for approved wording on marketing material.
2. Design, document and model
- Design the building or space to operate at the target Energy rating nominated in your Design for Performance Agreement.
- Prepare the model, simulation report and minimum documentation as detailed in the Guide to Design for Performance.
3. Get an Independent Design Review (IDR) report
- Contract a member of the Independent Design Review (IDR) Panel (contact details available in the table below) to review the project and obtain an IDR report as detailed in the Guide to Design for Performance.
4. Submit the IDR report
- Email the IDR report to [email protected]
- After we’ve approved the report, you’ll have a full licence to promote your target rating. This includes using the NABERS Design for Performance certificate and logo.
5. Get a NABERS Energy rating once the project is in operation
- Arrange for a NABERS Accredited Assessor to carry out an Energy for Offices rating on the premises to demonstrate whether you’ve met your target Energy rating. This rating will be based on 12 months of real, operational energy usage. You can get in contact with a NABERS UK Licensed assessor for your project here.
Design for Performance register
The tables below list the design for performance projects that have set a NABERS energy target rating, To see the projects that have received their certified Design Review Target Ratings, please go to GreenBookLive.
The projects outlined below are the first in the UK to implement this pioneering approach to office design and delivery, stimulating project supply chains and providing the real-life evidence of how the energy performance gap can be closed.
Design for Performance register The following developments are Pioneering Design for Performance:
| Building Details | Applicant | Building type | Rating type | Commitment type | Target star rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Broadgate, London | British Land | Office | New Building | Base Building | 4.5 - 5 |
| 2 Finsbury Avenue, London | British Land | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 19-35 Baker Street, London | Derwent London | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
| 4 Angel Square, Noma, Manchester | Federated Hermes/MEPC | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 11 & 12 Wellington Place, Leeds | Federated Hermes/MEPC | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| New City Court, 8-26 St Thomas Street, London | Great Portland Estates | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
| South Molton Triangle, London | Grosvenor Britain & Ireland | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
| Portland House, Bressenden Place, London | Landsec | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| 25 Lavington Street, London | Landsec | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
| Ralli Quays, Salford | Legal and General Real Assets | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
| International Quarter London – The Turing Building, Stratford, London | Lendlease | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
| Statesman House, Maidenhead | Royal London Asset Management | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
| 2 Ruskin Square, Croydon | Stanhope | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
| 3 St James’s Market (Phase 2), London | The Crown Estate | Office | New Building | Base Building | TBC |
The following developments are Design for Performance projects:
| Building Details | Applicant | Building Type | Rating Type | Commitment Type | Target Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worship Square, London | HB Reavis UK Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 4.5 |
| 30 Semple Street, Edinburgh | The BBC Pension Trust per CBREGI c/o Corran Properties Ltd. | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Southbank, Globe point, Globe Road, Leeds | ASE II Globe Point Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 4.5 |
| Southbank, One Globe Square | ASE II Globe Point Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| STAC, Building 6, Buchanan Wharf | Drum Buchanan Wharf 4 Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 4 |
| 28 St Andrew Square | Aviva Investors | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| Plot A3 (Eden), New Bailey, Irwell Street | English Cities Fund | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5.5 |
| EQ Victoria St, Redcliffe, Bristol | ASE Ill (Bristol) Limited | Office | New building | Base Building | 5 |
| 90 Long Acre, London | Northwood Investors 90 LA Ltd | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| The Forge, 105 Sumner St, London | LS 105 Sumner St Developer Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 105 Victoria St, London | Sweco UK Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 33 Charterhouse St, London | Charterhouse Street Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Elshaw House, Wellington St, Sheffield | Ove Arup & Partners Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 81 Newgate Street, London | NG Devco Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| The Fitzrovia, W1 | PRUDENTIAL UK REAL ESTATE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP acting by its General Partner, PRUDENTIAL UK REAL ESTATE GENERAL PARTNER LIMITED | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 42 Wigmore Street | Standard Life Assurance Limited | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 4.5 |
| 135 Park Street | Emerson PropCo SARL | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 1 Exchange Square, London | PNBJ I Limited | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| Tempo | Legal & General Assurance (Pensions Management) Limited | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| 21 Bloomsbury Street | Venture Real Estate Limited | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| Space House | SLQR Trustee No 1 Ltd and SLQR Trustee No 2 Ltd as Co Trustees for SLQR Trust No 3 | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 4.5 |
| Havelock | Bridgewater Manchester (Luxembourg) Holding Sarl | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| Royal Street Plot A | SB Royal Holdings Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Royal Street Plot C | SB Royal Holdings Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Royal Street Plot D | SB Royal Holdings Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Royal Street Plot E | SB Royal Holdings Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 1210 Arlington Business Park | CapitaLand | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 4 |
| Woolgate Exchange | BNP PARIBAS JERSEY TRUST CORPORATION LIMITED | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 4 |
| 10 Station Road | Aviva Investors | Office | New Building | Base Building | 4.5 |
| Project Unicorn (Nuffield House & Pegasus House) | Aviva Investors | Office | New Building | Base Building | 4.5 |
| 101 Moorgate | Aviva Investors | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Canada Water, Plot F2, London | BL CW Developments Plot F1 F2 F3 Company Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5.5 |
| Angel Square, 1 Torrens Street, London | Tishman Speyer | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| 1210 Arlington Business Park, Theale | CapitaLand | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 4 |
| 76 Upper Ground, London | Wolfe Commercial Properties (Southbank) Ltd | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| Clarendon House | CTCL (BUKP) Fund Nominee No1 Limited & CTCL (BUKP) Fund Nominee No2 Limited, abrdn UK Real Estate Fund | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 4.5 |
| N2, 10-12 Bressenden Place | Nova Developer Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 4 |
| No.3 Circle Square | Bruntwood Circle Square 12 Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Building 4, The Heights | KWF Heights Ltd | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 4.5 |
| 7 Millbank, Westminister House | Baola Properties Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 11 Belgrave Road, Pimlico | Quadrum Belgrave Limited | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5.5 |
| Power Road Studio 5 | Akoya Power Road Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Southwark OSD | TTL Properties Ltd | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 72 Upper Ground | MEC London Property 3 (General Partner) Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| 1000 Hillswood Drive | Legal & General Investment Management | Office | Refurbishment | Base Building | 5 |
| 40 Leadenhall | Vanquish Properties GP Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
| Island | Vanquish Properties GP Limited | Office | New Building | Base Building | 5 |
For Design Review Target Ratings, please go to GreenBookLive to see all Certified DfP Projects that have received their Design Review Target Rating.
How to register your interest
Email us at [email protected] to register your interest in starting the Design for Performance process.
Independent Design Review Panel
As part of the Design for Performance process you’ll need to engage a member of the Independent Design Review Panel to conduct a review of your design documentation and model.
If you have technical questions regarding your project’s application to Design for Performance, you can contact an Independent Design Review panellist who will be able to assist you
Please see the list of members to the Independent Design Review Panel;
Independent Design Review Panel
| Full Name | Surname | Company | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claire | Das Bhaumik | [email protected] | Inkling |
| Darren | Coppins | [email protected] | Built Physics |
| David | Kingstone | [email protected] | Buro Happold |
| Glen | Irwin | [email protected] | Hydrock |
| Grace | Foo | [email protected] | DeltaQ |
| Greg | Waring | [email protected] | ARUP |
| Hugh | Gordon | [email protected] | Hilson Moran |
| Jennifer | Elias | [email protected] | AECOM |
| Jim | Saywell | [email protected] | Buro Happold |
| Robert | Marshall | [email protected] | Watkins Payne Partnership |
| Stephen | Hill | [email protected] | ARUP |
The Example Simulation Report demonstrates the key features of a simulation report compliant with the requirements of a Design for Performance Agreement. As a part of the Independent Design Review process, this report guides those who are producing a Simulation Report for their Independent Design Review.
Is my building eligible for NABERS Design for Performance?
Your building is eligible if it’s an office development that is either a new build or major refurbishment, and in the Design Stages (upto RIBA Stage 5).
Find out more
To find out more about the steps, rights and obligations involved in Design for Performance, email us at [email protected]
Useful Downloads
NABERS UK Guide to Design for Performance
Design for Performance (DfP) provides a framework by which projects can commit, preconstruction, to achieve a NABERS Energy for Offices rating in post-construction performance. This guide sets out the minimum steps and processes required for a project implementing the DfP process
This Guide is intended to provide assistance for all parties involved in the Design for Performance process, and in particular the Applicant and associated project team, the Independent Design Reviewer and the person(s) conducting the building performance simulation, referred to in this document as the Simulator
NABERS UK Design for Performance Agreement
Design for Performance Agreements are available for new or refurbished buildings for the following Rating Tools: Energy for Offices.
This Agreement qualifies as a Design for Performance Agreement. It establishes the process that the Applicant is required to follow to obtain a Design Reviewed Target Rating. This Agreement also sets out the basis on which the Applicant may promote its Target Rating and Design Reviewed Target Rating and use the Trade Marks.
NABERS UK Design for Performance Brand Guidelines
NABERS Design For Performance Brand Guidelines details the guidelines surrounding logos and certificates.
NABERS UK Design for Performance Fact Sheet
The UK has a design-for-compliance culture which has led to the well-known ‘performance gap’ that exists between original design intent and how a building truly performs in-use. Design for Performance is a process that overcomes this, where a developer or owner commits to design, build and commission a building to achieve a targeted NABERS Energy rating.
If you are a developer or owner, you can register any new office development or major refurbishment by signing a Design for Performance Agreement. Your target NABERS Energy rating must be 4.0 stars or above.
Example Simulation Report
This report is an example simulation report that demonstrates the key features of a simulation report compliant with the requirements of a Design for Performance Agreement. A Simulation Report should provide a realistic estimate of the operational energy performance of the project. As a part of the Independent Design Review process, it is a requirement to provide a Simulation Report to the selected Independent Design Reviewer for evaluation. More information on the sections that a simulation report should contain, and its format can be found in the Guide to Design for Performance
