The Technology Strategy Board has committed up to £8m to fund the costs of building performance evaluation studies on domestic and non-domestic buildings.

We will be funding individual companies and other organisations responsible for buildings for the total cost of evaluating the performance of case study buildings they design, build, own and/or operate. This will help builders and developers to deliver more efficient, better performing buildings.

Studies on domestic buildings will cover either the period immediately post construction and into early occupation (Phase 1 studies), or a period of two years in-use for buildings less than 2 years old (Phase 2 studies). Similarly, non-domestic building studies will be either for buildings under construction and nearing completion (Under Construction) to cover the period spanning completion and early occupation, or those in use and no more than 3 years old (In-Use). All studies will be required to use specified protocols, tools and techniques to capture data in a comparable form.

We aim to assemble a substantial body of data for many building types to draw generic conclusions on the performance obtained through various design strategies, building fabric, target performances, construction methods and occupancy patterns, handover and operational practices. These will be shared across the industry with a view to providing reliable information to enable improvements in the performance of new and refurbished buildings through specification, design, delivery and operation. To this end we may prioritise buildings from certain industry sectors or with particular characteristics in order to satisfy overall programme requirements.

In order to achieve an appropriate overall balance across the portfolio of the Programme, we are particularly keen to receive applications for studies on dwellings of masonry construction and from first time applicants in the current tranche.

In order to achieve the desired portfolio of building types and use profiles, Non-Domestic initial proposals for Tranche 6 (the last tranche of new applicants) are particularly encouraged from teams wishing to study buildings in the following sectors:

•             transport facilities,

•             sports facilities,

•             warehousing,

•             retail, 

•             hospitality

•             industrial,

buildings with the following characteristics:

•             smaller non-domestic buildings <1000m2, 

•             naturally ventilated buildings

•             refurbished buildings 

Please note that the programme is fully subscribed in respect of new applications for studying education buildings so please do not submit applications for proposals in this area.

 Funding will be allocated in tranches over two years – see below for the next closing date.

Important Notice - Building Performance Evaluation

Please note that current and future tranches of this Competition are open to new applicants. Unsuccessful applicants from the previous tranches may reapply if their projects fall within the eligible scope and timing for the current tranche.

Close date:  18^th January 2012, and for Domestic projects only 23^rd May 2012

Please note that registration for all Technology Strategy Board administered competitions will close one week before the competition application deadline. Registration is required to receive application forms and access the applications area.

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