Advancing key outcomes of sustainability building assessment

Sustainability assessment methods for building projects have a major role to play in introducing sustainability values and principles into mainstream construction practice. The paper reflects on potential measures that should advance building assessment practice in fostering sustainable construction and it advocates a redefinition of the objectives of building assessment methods. Arguably, the current emphasis in the building process and building assessment on a physical design and functional properties of buildings needs to be complemented with a concern for the quality of social and technical processes. To increase the effectiveness of any building assessment method, it is necessary to define clearly its desired outputs and outcomes. The paper suggests three significant outcomes of building sustainability assessment: integration; transparency and accessibility; and collaborative learning. These outcomes have emerged from a critical appraisal of the theory of Environmental Assessment and the Process Protocol. Environmental Assessment was examined as it provides valuable insights in terms of addressing sustainability at a project level. Lessons from the Process Protocol allow for the potential optimization of building projects using a building sustainability assessment method. Addressing these outcomes provides the means for proactive project enhancement, in terms of its sustainability and quality, by using a building sustainability assessment method.