Delivering BREEAM Very Good on a complex historic refurbishment
Project: Daniel House, Fleet Street, London
Project Type: Commercial refurbishment and fit-out
Address: 135 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2BJ
BREEAM Scheme: BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit Out 2014
BREEAM Rating: Very Good – 58.8%
Melin Role: BREEAM Assessment & Consultancy
Certification Stage: Final
Project Overview
Daniel House forms part of the significant transformation of the former Daily Telegraph buildings in the heart of London’s Fleet Street.
The project involved the comprehensive refurbishment of a prominent historic building, retaining its Grade II-listed façade while creating a contemporary commercial office environment designed around the requirements of modern occupiers.
The completed development provides approximately 32,000 sq ft of high-quality office accommodation, with flexible floorplates complemented by a range of occupier-focused amenities including a new reception, gym, townhall space, food and beverage facilities and enhanced end-of-trip facilities.
The development also incorporates a shared courtyard and pergola, alongside an all-electric building strategy, with sustainability, occupant wellbeing and building performance forming important elements of the overall refurbishment.
Melin Energy Consultants were appointed to provide specialist BREEAM assessment and consultancy services, helping the project team navigate the requirements of the BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out methodology and work towards a Very Good rating.
A Challenging Refurbishment Environment
Refurbishment projects present a different set of challenges to new-build developments.
At Daniel House, the project team were required to transform an existing historic building into a modern, high-quality workplace while working within the constraints of the retained structure and historic façade.
At the same time, the project needed to incorporate modern building services, enhanced occupier facilities and improved environmental performance.
The BREEAM assessment therefore had to be managed alongside a complex design and construction programme, with sustainability requirements considered throughout the project rather than simply addressed towards completion.
Melin’s role was to provide the specialist technical input required to help the project team understand these requirements, identify opportunities for compliance and ensure that the BREEAM strategy remained aligned with the evolving development.
Managing the BREEAM Assessment
Successful BREEAM delivery relies on close coordination between the client, design team, contractors and specialist consultants.
Melin worked closely with the wider project team throughout the assessment process, providing advice on the requirements of the BREEAM methodology and helping to coordinate the evidence needed to demonstrate compliance.
Our involvement included:
- Managing the BREEAM assessment against the project’s target.
- Reviewing design proposals and their implications for BREEAM.
- Advising the project team on BREEAM credit requirements and opportunities.
- Identifying outstanding requirements and areas requiring further evidence.
- Coordinating information across the client, design and construction teams.
- Reviewing technical evidence for compliance.
- Providing practical advice to resolve BREEAM-related issues.
- Supporting the project team throughout construction and completion.
- Managing the assessment through to final certification.
This proactive approach helped ensure that BREEAM requirements remained part of the project conversation throughout the development, rather than becoming a compliance exercise at the end of the refurbishment.
Balancing Heritage with Modern Performance
One of the defining characteristics of Daniel House was the requirement to retain the character of the existing building while delivering a contemporary commercial environment.
The retained Grade II-listed façade and existing building fabric created constraints that needed to be considered when developing the refurbishment strategy.
At the same time, the completed development needed to meet the expectations of modern office occupiers, incorporating upgraded building services, improved facilities and a strong focus on sustainability and wellbeing.
For BREEAM, this required a pragmatic approach.
Melin provided technical guidance that considered both the requirements of the assessment and the practical realities of refurbishing an existing historic building.
Our building physics and BREEAM expertise enabled us to help the project team understand the implications of design and construction decisions and identify realistic opportunities to maintain compliance with the assessment criteria.
Maintaining BREEAM Compliance Throughout the Project
Major refurbishment projects rarely progress without changes.
As the design developed and construction progressed, the BREEAM requirements needed to be continually reviewed alongside project decisions.
Melin worked proactively with the project team to identify outstanding actions, review available evidence and address areas where further information or clarification was required.
This approach helped maintain momentum towards the BREEAM target while avoiding the risk of significant compliance issues being identified only at the end of the project.
The ability to provide clear and practical advice was particularly important on a project involving multiple stakeholders and a demanding programme.
Achieving BREEAM Very Good
Despite the challenges associated with refurbishing a historic commercial building, Daniel House successfully achieved its target BREEAM certification.
The project achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating with a final score of 58.8% under the BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit Out 2014 scheme.
Melin Energy Consultants were appointed as the BREEAM assessor for the project.
The certification demonstrates the successful integration of sustainability considerations into the refurbishment while working within the constraints of the existing building.
Part of a Wider Fleet Street Transformation
Daniel House forms part of a wider programme of significant refurbishment and transformation in the Fleet Street area, alongside the neighbouring Peterborough Court development.
Melin were appointed to provide BREEAM assessment and consultancy services across both projects, giving us the opportunity to apply our specialist expertise across two significant commercial refurbishment developments within the same wider scheme.
While each building presented its own challenges and project requirements, both projects required a detailed understanding of refurbishment BREEAM, close coordination with the wider project team and the ability to provide practical solutions as the developments progressed.
The experience demonstrates Melin’s ability to support major clients and project teams across complex refurbishment programmes while managing the individual requirements of each development.
Related Project
Peterborough Court – BREEAM Refurbishment & Fit-Out
Melin also provided BREEAM consultancy and assessment services for the neighbouring Peterborough Court development.
Peterborough Court presented its own set of challenges, with Melin becoming involved after the BREEAM assessment had already been initiated by another consultant. Our team undertook a detailed review of the inherited assessment, resolved outstanding issues and successfully guided the project through to BREEAM Excellent, achieving a final score of 72.4%.
Read the Peterborough Court case study →
Supporting Complex Commercial Refurbishments
Daniel House demonstrates the importance of experienced BREEAM consultancy when delivering major commercial refurbishment projects.
Existing buildings often require a different approach from new-build developments. Existing structures, retained fabric, heritage considerations, services infrastructure and decisions already made during the design process can all influence the opportunities available within a BREEAM assessment.
Melin’s experience across BREEAM, building physics and energy performance enables us to provide practical, technically informed advice that reflects the realities of each individual project.
From establishing and managing the BREEAM strategy through to evidence review and final certification, we work closely with clients, developers, architects, contractors and wider consultant teams to help deliver successful outcomes.
The successful delivery of Daniel House, alongside the neighbouring Peterborough Court development, demonstrates Melin’s experience in supporting high-profile commercial refurbishment projects where sustainability, building performance, heritage and occupier expectations all need to be considered together.
The Result
BREEAM Very Good – 58.8%
Through effective assessment management, technical advice and close collaboration with the wider project team, Melin successfully supported Daniel House through its BREEAM assessment and final certification.
The project provides a strong example of how specialist BREEAM expertise can help deliver sustainable outcomes within the constraints of a complex historic refurbishment.
Melin provides BREEAM consultancy and assessment services alongside SAP, SBEM, energy modelling, thermal modelling, overheating assessments, air tightness testing and wider building performance services.