The SBTool (Sustainable Building Tool) makes it possible to directly compare the results of different national assessment schemes and can be used outside the design, control and occupation phases.The SBTool was developed in the INTERREG IVB North-West Europe project REGAIN (Reducing the Greenhouse Effect through Alternative Industrial Estates Management in North West Europe). It was devised as part of the International Green Building Challenge, which saw the participation of international organisations and institutions with the greatest expertise in this field.
This tool offers the following advantages/features:
The use of the SBTool is split in three phases. These are:
Phase 1 (Evaluation criteria) allows the assessor to choose the criteria under which the evaluation and monitoring of the building will be structured. These criteria can be categorised under the following headings:
In phase 2 (Benchmarking and indicators) a series of reference values for evaluating each of the criteria will be established. As the reference conditions are different (because each building is unique) a benchmarking phase must be included, i.e. research of guide values which lead to evaluation of the chosen criteria. These guide values, which are determined by local laws and regulations, based on minimums for local construction and technical standards, and on scientific and other literature, form the basis of the benchmarking.
In phase 3 (Defining the objectives and evaluation) the assessor will establish which results have to be obtained for each of the criteria based on the values set in phase 2, for example to achieve the best overall score across all categories, or to prioritise particular ones.
NODES strategic objective | Contribution |
---|---|
Enhance accessibility and integration | 0 |
Enhance intermodality | 0 |
Enhance liveability | + |
Increase safety and security conditions | 0 |
Increase economic viability and costs efficiency | + |
Stimulate local economy | + |
Increase environmental efficiency | ++ |
Increase energy efficiency | ++ |
The following good practices are those from the REGAIN project:
The software (tool) is free of charge.