Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
This area of the website be populated with commonly asked questions as they are received. If you wish to ask a question not yet covered here please use the ‘Contact Us’ link or email regenerate@sheffield.ac.uk.
Building layers
What does it mean if a layer is ‘affected’?
A building layer is affected if any or all of the components of that layer are altered as a result of the project. For example, if only glazing is changed in the facade as part of a refurbishment, then the ‘Skin’ layer is affected.
How should I handle refurbishment if only some parts of a building layer are affected and not the layer in its entirety (for example only the windows are changed on the facade)?
In this case you should respond ‘yes’ to the ‘Skin’ layer being affected in the Project Details section and answer credits based on the window system. Regenerate aims to award credits automatically given that layers remain untouched during projects of existing buildings (hence the ‘layer affected’ section) as this keeps materials within use at its highest value for longer. In this case, if you were to retain the whole cladding system then those credits that are not applicable to the window system should also be responded to with ‘yes’.
Development type
How do I class a project that retains the existing foundations?
Projects that retain existing foundations are classed as new builds and the reuse of the foundation material can be accounted for in, for example, criteria relating to the reuse of material in the structural layers.
How do I use regenerate for buildings that are part refurbishment and part new build?
This is accounted for in the building zones. You simply need to create a new building zone if you have a discrete building use, structural form and development type. In this case, given that the new build and refurbishment are of the same use and structural form, you would only need to create two building zones. One for the new build development and the other for the refurbishment.
Credits
What if I only partially achieve a credit for a specific zone/layer?
A credit should be met by at least 80% by mass or volume of the building zone and layer considered. It is important to only respond with ‘yes’ if you meet this. Future iterations of the tool will begin to include benchmarks drawing upon examples of best practise as more projects begin to incorporate Circular Economy principles. For credits such as “Reversible, mechanical connections are used instead of chemical alternatives” this may refer to at least 80% by mass or volume of the components that are connected in this way, or that at least 80% of all connections are reversible.
