In the pursuit of sustainable building design, controlling glare is essential for both comfort and energy efficiency. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), a leading sustainability assessment method, recognizes the importance of managing natural light effectively. Achieving BREEAM certification can significantly improve a building's environmental performance, and glare control is a key part of ensuring visual comfort and reducing energy usage.

What is BREEAM and Why is Glare Control Important?

BREEAM is one of the most widely used sustainability assessment methods for buildings, aiming to enhance environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It assesses the building's performance in areas like energy use, water efficiency, and health and well-being. Glare control falls under the "Health and Well-being" category, which emphasizes creating environments that promote occupant comfort and productivity.

Glare control is essential in the following ways:

• Visual Comfort: Excessive glare can lead to eye strain, discomfort, and reduced productivity in both work and living spaces.
• Daylight Optimisation: BREEAM encourages the use of natural light to reduce the need for artificial lighting. However, managing glare is crucial to ensure that daylight is comfortable and not overwhelming.
• Energy Efficiency: Proper glare control helps balance natural light use and reduces the need for artificial lighting and cooling, improving the building's overall energy performance.

How Glare Control Contributes to BREEAM Certification

In BREEAM's Hea 01 Visual Comfort credit, buildings are assessed on how well they optimise daylight while minimizing glare. Effective glare control solutions can contribute towards earning credits in this category, leading to a higher BREEAM rating.

Key requirements include:

1. Daylight Calculations: Ensuring sufficient levels of daylight without causing visual discomfort.
2. Glare Prevention: Demonstrating that measures have been taken to prevent excessive glare in critical areas such as workspaces, classrooms, or living areas.
3. User Control: Providing occupants with systems (e.g., blinds or automated shading) to adjust the amount of natural light entering the space.

How We Help You Achieve BREEAM Credits

With our expertise in glare control and sustainable building practices, we support your project throughout the design and construction phases to ensure compliance with BREEAM criteria.

We provide expert consultation, using advanced daylight simulation software to assess potential glare issues in your building design. Our team will recommend solutions tailored to your project's needs, ensuring compliance with BREEAM standards for visual comfort.

We work closely with your design team to assess glare issues, optimize natural light use, and recommend solutions that meet BREEAM standards.

1. Automated Solar Shading
   • Automated shading solutions allow for dynamic control of sunlight entering the building, adjusting throughout the day to reduce glare while maximizing natural light. These systems integrate with building management systems, offering flexibility and energy efficiency.
   • BREEAM Benefit: Supports user control over daylight and reduces energy demand from artificial lighting.
2. High-Performance Window Films
   • Solar control window films block excessive sunlight and reduce glare while allowing natural light to illuminate the space. These films also reduce UV exposure, protecting interior materials and improving occupant comfort.
   • BREEAM Benefit: Contributes to achieving both glare control and energy efficiency targets by reducing heat gain and reliance on air conditioning.
3. Internal and External Louvres
   • Installing architectural louvres on the exterior or interior of the building provides an effective method to control the intensity of sunlight while adding an aesthetic touch. Louvres can be fixed or adjustable, depending on the design and performance needs.
   • BREEAM Benefit: Enhances daylight distribution and minimizes glare, improving the indoor environment's quality.
4. Custom Blinds and Shades
   • Custom-made blinds and shades are available in both manual and motorized options, offering flexible glare control solutions for both small and large spaces. These systems allow users to adjust daylight to their comfort, providing a cost-effective option for glare management.
   • BREEAM Benefit: Supports occupant well-being by providing flexible, user-controlled daylight and glare management.
5. Glare Analysis and Simulation
   • We provide expert consultation, using advanced daylight simulation software to assess potential glare issues in your building design. Our team will recommend solutions tailored to your project's needs, ensuring compliance with BREEAM standards for visual comfort.
   • BREEAM Benefit: Helps achieve the required daylight and glare analysis for the Hea 01 Visual Comfort credit.

How We Help You Achieve BREEAM Credits

With our expertise in glare control and sustainable building practices, we support your project throughout the design and construction phases to ensure compliance with BREEAM criteria.

We work closely with your design team to assess glare issues, optimize natural light use, and recommend solutions that meet BREEAM standards.

Contact Us for BREEAM-Compliant Glare Control

Melin Consultants are your trusted partner for a BREEAM Glare Control Assessment that contributes to BREEAM certification. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation.