Living Building Consultancy
Providing specialist sustainability certification services to main-contractors, sub-contractors and manufacturers.
We develop and implement compelling visions and innovative design strategies for major projects in the built environment.
Living Building Consultancy is a London based consulting firm dedicated to creating life enhancing spaces for the 22nd Century. With a mission to LEAD THE TRANSFORMATION to a truly sustainable built environment that is nature rich and ecologically restorative, we help CREATE DYNAMIC AND INTERACTIVE SPACES that nurture and promote human health and wellbeing.
We believe that by MAKING SUSTAINABILITY SIMPLE we can accelerate the shift towards a more REGENERATIVE FUTURE.
We COLLABORATE with clients and project partners to integrate successful green solutions into the planning, design, construction and operation of buildings, reducing their environmental impact at every stage of their life cycle. We take a holistic approach to addressing critical project targets using INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED FRAMEWORKS for developing innovative solutions that balance economic, social and environmental factors.
With a staff accredited in over 12 international green building rating systems, we are advising clients worldwide on projects of every size and level of complexity, and continue to expand the boundaries of sustainability everywhere.
We do it all
Living Building Consultancy provides sustainability consulting services to a broad spectrum of clients worldwide on projects of every size and level of complexity. We use whole-systems thinking and leading-edge green building certification protocols to develop innovative solutions that balance economic, social and environmental factors. Our sustainability specialists collaborate with clients and project partners to integrate sustainability into the planning, design, construction and operation of buildings, reducing their environmental impact at every stage of their life cycle.
Our offering can be categorised into three primary areas: Sustainable Design and Construction Consulting, Project Certification Administration, and Construction Support Services.
Services
LEED Consultancy
We have more than 10 years of experience in the development and application of LEED to provide project management, documentation and consultancy services to clients worldwide on projects of every size and level of complexity.
Our staff is accredited under all five LEED AP specialties. This places us in a unique position to be able to act as Accredited Professionals and advise clients on projects of every type and size and in any location.
In addition to thorough auditing to assure successful assessment, we offer advice on innovative and efficient solutions to help projects achieve objectives above and beyond our clients’ expectations.
BREEAM Support
Our trained BREEAM Assessors and BREEAM Site Sustainability Managers offer expert guidance and management throughout the certification process, from concept through post-construction.
We take a structured approach to each project and strive to bring clarity to the assessment process in order to maximise the benefits for the building owner, design team and contractor.
WELL Building Standard
With one of the first WELL APs outside the US on staff, we are perfectly placed to carrying forth the critical mission of improving health & well-being in buildings and communities across the world. With occupant-centred design and construction practices as an integral part of our practice offering, we have an unparalleled breadth of expertise in integrating wellness into the built environment.
We work closely with multidimensional teams, drawing upon insights from the health sciences, occupational psychology, management consulting, facility management, data science, and technology.
We offer WELL consulting, project administration and specialist construction support services for main contractors across all WELL Building Standard typologies.
Fitwel Certification
We are active participants in Fitwel’s healthy building movement and its ethos that a healthier workplace environment should be accessible for all. As one of the first Fitwel Ambassadors in the UK, we are experienced in leveraging the connection between design and policy strategies within buildings to impact occupant health.
We are well-versed on the evidence-based connection between design, construction and health, and can navigate the Fitwel Digital Scorecard to assist projects track progress and attain Fitwel certification.
Living Building Challenge
Through our close partnership with the Living Building Challenge London Collaborative, we are strong advocates for the regenerative design framework behind the world’s most rigorous performance standard for buildings. We work collaboratively with our partners of Living Building Challenge Ambassadors to provide education, support and guidance for project teams to achieve the required “petals” for Living Building certification.
Procurement and Material Selection
Navigating through the increasing number of labelling schemes and new product rules for vetting, materials transparency and toxicity screening can seem like an impossible task on projects pursuing aggressive disclosure targets such as LEED v4, WELL, or LBC. Our experts are here to help you.
We have years of experience in developing research methodologies around green materials, and aligning product vetting with goals that aim to mitigate occupant exposure and environmental toxicity. We can create stringent disclosure tools for VOC and other toxicity data, working together and foster partnerships with contractors and manufacturers.
Embodied Carbon Calculations
We help our clients design, build, operate and renew their buildings with a clear understanding of whole life environmental impacts. We can undertake Life Cycle Assessments for whole buildings or focusing on individual elements or work packages. For more unique or complex projects, we can create bespoke assessment options to allow our Clients to make decisions that reduce the life-cycle impact of building materials on climate change – without compromising performance or cost.
We have a long experience managing and undertaking Life Cycle Assessments for a wide range of architectural, finishing and MEP products and systems. Our embodied carbon experts are adept at using multiple software solutions (e.g. One Click LCA) and calculation methodologies including TM65 and TM65.1 for MEP products, and ISO 14025, EN 15804 or ISO 21930 for architectural and building products.
Accreditations
Living Building Consultancy is the only firm in Europe with staff holding accreditations against all major international green building certification schemes. We are fully accredited to represent our Clients’ interests on projects pursuing the following schemes.
LEED AP BD+C for new construction projects
LEED AP ID+C for fit-out projects
LEED AP Homes for individual residential units
LEED AP ND for neighbourhoods
WELL AP and Fitwel Ambassador for creating healthy works and living spaces
BREEAM AP and SSM for managing site compliance
Our Work Portfolio
Our work portfolio ranges from small fit-outs to complete buildings of over £350 million in value spanning from the UK, across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
5 Broadgate
Client: ISG
Location: London, UK
Project Type: Commercial Interiors
Size: 700,000 sq ft
Certifications: LEED Platinum, BREEAM Excellent, FSC Project Certification
Time & Life Building
Client: Knight Harwood
Location: London, UK
Project Type: Commercial Interiors
Size: 20,000 sq ft
Certifications: LEEDv4 Gold
Adelphi Building
Client: Paragon
Location: London, UK
Project Type: CAT A Commercial Interiors
Size: 150,000 sq ft
Certifications: BREEAM 2014 Very Good
The White Chapel Building
Client: ISG
Location: London, UK
Project Type: CAT B Commercial Interiors
Size: 23,000 sq ft
Certifications: LEEDv4 Gold
Nova South & Nova North
Client: Paragon
Location: London, UK
Project Type: CAT B Commercial Interiors
Size: 25,000 sq ft (Nova South) and 20,000 sq ft (Nova North)
Certifications: LEED Gold, BREEAM 2014 Excellent
6 Pancras Square
Client: ISG
Location: London, UK
Project Type: CAT B Commercial Interiors
Size: 300,000 sq ft
Certifications: LEED Gold, BREEAM 2008 Excellent
Kew Hostel
Client: Tilbury Douglas
Location: London, UK
Project Type: CAT B Commercial Interiors
Size: 20,000 sq ft
Certifications: BREEAM 2014 Very Good
Medway County & Family Court
Client: Tilbury Douglas
Location: Medway, UK
Project Type: CAT B Commercial Interiors
Size: 300,000 sq ft
Certifications: BREEAM 2014 Very Good
25 Berkeley Square
Client: Parkeray
Location: London, UK
Project Type: CAT B Commercial Interiors
Size: 17,000 sq ft
Certifications: LEED v4 Platinum
Warehouse K
Client: Tilbury Douglas
Location: London, UK
Project Type: CAT B Commercial Interiors
Size: 20,000 sq ft
Certifications: BREEAM 2014 Very Good
Akos Brandecker
Director
Akos is an influential sustainability strategist and environmental design consultant whose passion lies in developing compelling visions and innovative design responses for major projects in the built environment. He has direct experience leading projects that are pursuing aggressive targets such as LEED v4, Living Building Challenge and WELL, and has numerous BREEAM Excellent and LEED Platinum projects under his belt.
His project experience includes international multi-building campuses, workplaces, laboratory science buildings, data centres, historic buildings, cultural arts centres, governmental facilities, schools, hospitality and residential towers.
Akos specialises in the materials and indoor environmental quality credits of LEED, helping project teams select products that produce less pollutants, enhance material safety and create a healthier environment for occupants.
Akos is an active member of several international groups. He is an active Monitor with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, a CIOB Mentor, and sits on multiple advisory groups. Akos is also an animal lover and in his spare time fosters animals in need of a home.
