BRE has launched software for assessing life cycle environmental impacts of buildings from the early design stage. Envest, developed with support from DETR, has been designed to simplify the process of designing environmentally friendly buildings. Designers enter the basic parameters of the building (height, number of storeys, window area, etc) and key elements (external wall, roof covering, etc).

Envest identifies those elements with the most influence on the building’s environmental impact, and shows the effects of selecting different materials. The software also predicts the environmental impact of various strategies for heating, cooling and operating a building. Designers can also present the environmental credentials of different design options to clients.

"Designing environmentally friendly buildings is a very complex task," says Nigel Howard, Director of BRE’s Centre for Sustainable Construction," Few designers can be expected to have the resources to research the environmental impacts of the multitude of materials used in buildings."

Ian Taylor, Associate Director at Bennetts Associates Architects said: "This is a significant design tool which will benefit the output of all design teams committed to developing sustainable architecture. Envest methodologies influenced the outline and scheme designs stages of Wessex Water’s new Operations Centre in Bath."

For further information and to download a demonstration visit the Envest website