BEAM Plus Interiors Manual

BEAM P

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ETAIL

NSTITUTIONAL

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concept [

ASTM [

defines a green building as, “a building that provides the

specified building performance requirements while minimizing

disturbance to and improving the functioning of local, regional, and

global ecosystems both during and after its construction and specified

service life”.

Furthermore “a green building optimises efficiencies in resource

management and operational performance and minimises risks to

human health and the environment”.

To this can be added considerations for community, social equity and

economic viability

In the context of Hong Kong’s sub-tropical climate and dense urban

high-rise development BEAM regards a sustainable building as one that

is safe, healthy, comfortable, functional, and efficient in the use of

resources.

Environmental Aspects

An environmental aspect is defined in ISO 14004 [

as an element of

an organisations activity, products or services than can interact with the

environment. ISO defines ‘environment’ as the surroundings in which an

organisation operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora,

fauna, humans, and their interrelation.

Surroundings in this context extend from within the organisation to the

global system. An environmental impact is any change to the

environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting

from an organisation’s activities, products, or services.

In the context of BEAM, and green building, the requirements herein

challenge Applicants to lower and reduce these impacts, the ultimate

long term goal being elimination of adverse impacts.

Social Aspects

BEAM Plus is equally concerned with the interaction between the

premises, and their neighbours, neighbouring properties, and the

neighbourhood in general. This methodology encourages Applicants to

reduce negative impacts and rewards efforts that are aimed to improve

the quality of the immediate surroundings to the benefit of the

neighbourhood.

Post-SARs, hygiene has become a major issue in both design and

management of buildings, and the premises within. Indoor air quality as

long been a matter of concern, and together with thermal conditions,

lighting quality and noise is also a comfort issue. Maintaining good

indoor environmental quality (IEQ) depends on design, management,

operation and user understanding of the many factors involved.

Poor IEQ impacts productivity in the workplace. The quality of other

services, such as vertical transportation, can also impact on user

satisfaction and workplace efficiency. However, the needs of users and

the efficiency of buildings need to be balanced against the consumption

of non-renewable natural resources and environmental loading to our

International Organization for Standardization ISO/TS 21929-1 Sustainability in building construction - Sustainability

indicators - Part 1: Framework for the development of indicators for buildings. 2006.

ASTM International E2114–01 Standard Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Performance of Buildings.

2001.

International Organization for Standardization. ISO/TS 21931-1 Sustainability in building construction - Framework

for methods of assessment for environmental performance of constructed works - Part 1: Buildings. 2006.

International Organization for Standardization. ISO14004: Environmental management systems – General guidelines

on principles, systems and supporting techniques.