Environmental Modelling

Environmental modelling enables a deeper understanding of the main processes and techniques for managing environmental changes. It is crucial in assessing the impact of projects on the surrounding environment and communities.

At Futura Bright, we offer a comprehensive suite of environmental modelling services to help you make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.

Our team of environmental specialists brings extensive experience and expertise in environmental modelling techniques and regulatory requirements.

We leverage advanced modelling software and tools to deliver accurate and reliable assessments that inform sustainable design decisions.

Our tailored environmental modelling services meet the unique needs and goals of each project, providing personalised recommendations and actionable insights.

Our services are designed to help clients navigate regulatory requirements and ensure compliance with environmental standards and guidelines.

Whether you’re planning a new construction project or seeking to optimise the environmental performance of an existing development, Futura Bright is here to support you every step of the way. 


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Services provided:

Condensation risk analysis safeguards building occupants from the potential health and financial hazards associated with condensation and mould growth in properties.

Given that the risk of condensation can rise with increasing thermal efficiency in buildings, it is crucial that designs for both residential and non-residential developments strike a balance between energy efficiency, ventilation, and condensation mitigation measures.

Condensation risk analysis (CRA) is recommended for both residential and non-residential schemes, as stipulated by Approved Document C (AD-C) in the building regulations for England and Wales, or Section 3 in Scotland. It is typically a requirement imposed by warranty providers as well.

At Futura Bright, we provide specialised guidance to mitigate the risk of condensation and ensure the delivery of compliant, high-quality builds. 

We are here to help you:
  • Understand and mitigate condensation risk
  • Ensure integrated solutions
  • Deliver comfortable, energy-efficient spaces
  • Fulfil warranty or building control requirements
Assessments of daylight and sunlight explore how a proposed development will influence the accessibility of sunlight to neighbouring properties and regulate natural light levels within the new building. These assessments play a crucial role in mitigating planning risks, shaping viable designs, and ensuring the creation of high-quality, energy-efficient spaces.

Whether its maximising internal daylight provision, quantifying and minimising this impact on other surrounding buildings and dwellings, or measuring the impact of proposals to surrounding public space, Futura Bright can assist you in developing compliant and considerate designs that minimise all impacts. Utilising advanced 3D modelling techniques, across multiple platforms, our building performance specialists provide a comprehensive view of a development’s impact.

Our dedicated team ensures that reports supporting planning applications not only demonstrate compliance but also embody considerate designs, aligning with BRE 209 good practice guidance.

We are here to help you:
  • Manage natural light levels within a development
  • Understand the impact on neighbouring properties
  • Provide coordinated solutions with other disciplines

Noise Impact Assessments guarantee that a development will neither be adversely affected by its surroundings nor impact them negatively.

These assessments typically establish design parameters for façade and glazing performance, with potential influences on ventilation and heating systems, thus shaping the overarching energy strategy. Noise emissions can also play a role in on-site project delivery, particularly for developers aiming for considerate construction practices that minimise disturbances for neighbours.

Sites exposed to high noise levels, often those in proximity to transport links, necessitate a noise assessment for planning applications. Depending on the development type or nearby facilities, vibration considerations may also be included in impact assessments. Subsequently, developers are required to incorporate mitigation measures for the benefit of future occupants.

Our team collaborates closely with your design teams to ensure a unified approach, minimising the risk of later alterations to designs.

We provide coordinated assessments to comprehend and manage noise impact, assisting you to:

  • Limit noise emissions during the construction phase
  • Manage noise levels for occupants
  • Make informed design decisions
  • Ensure integrated solutions

This service is provided by a trusted partner.

Conducting overheating analysis using Dynamic Thermal Modelling (DTM) is a crucial step prior to planning. Whilst this has been a consideration within London for major developments for many years, the impact of the implementation of this policy is now nationwide.

Whilst a simplified approach is possible, this may not always suit bespoke designs which incorporate large quantities of glazing, and can in some cases be restrictive to the overall design process. Dynamic modelling provides a precise evaluation of overheating risk, generating customised results and recommendations for compliance.

Referencing CIBSE TM59 methodology, Building Regulations Part O incorporates other considerations which need to be balanced within the buildings overall design including security, safety, and any mechanical ventilation system.

The DTM process reviews building materials, thermal mass, local shading, local weather data, building occupancy, and employs approaches to limit solar gains and eliminate excess heat.

Our experienced overheating modellers assist developers in completing comprehensive assessments, offering specialised guidance to comply with new Building Regulations and London Plan policy.

We’ll support you to:

  • Assess and mitigate overheating risk
  • Understand associated costs
  • Develop coordinated solutions
  • Deliver comfortable, energy-efficient spaces

For domestic buildings throughout the UK, SAP calculations are imperative. These assessments guarantee adherence to Part L of the building regulations (AD-L) in England and Wales and Section 6 of the Technical Handbooks in Scotland.

Our SAP assessors not only assist developers in ensuring compliance but also contribute to enhancing energy performance, reducing costs, and improving feasibility throughout the design process.

Our team of specialists provides expert guidance to:

  • Evaluate energy and carbon performance
  • Identify opportunities for design improvement
  • Comprehend the impact on design decisions and costs
  • Fulfil regulatory requirements
  • Substantiate environmental credentials
Recent updates to the Building Regulations, especially for residential dwellings, has resulted in a stronger focus being placed on the measurement of thermal bridging. This process identifies potential ‘breaks’ in building insulation that can contribute to additional heat losses, which need to then be accounted for within the wider thermal modelling for the site, through SAP calculations.

Thermal bridging is a crucial aspect of SAP assessments and, whilst not compulsory for new residential developments under building regulations can significantly improve the modelled performance and EPC rating, resulting in less additional improvements being placed elsewhere, potentially reducing costs.

Thorough analysis is necessary to ensure the creation of comfortable, energy-efficient properties, and team of building performance specialists collaborates with developers and designers to formulate customised thermal bridging values, showcasing compliance and delivering efficient properties and projects.

We’re here to help you:
  • Assess and minimise heat loss through building fabric junctions
  • Generate personalised thermal bridging values
  • Enhance overall energy performance
  • Explore opportunities for specification value engineering
  • Satisfy warranty or Building Control regulatory requirements

Achieving carbon-efficient developments requires a comprehensive understanding of a buildings’ actual operational energy performance.

While Part L calculations and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) offer insights into a building’s anticipated performance, there is a recognised ‘performance gap’ between design intent and real-world usage.

CIBSE TM54, titled ‘Evaluating Operational Energy Use at the Design Stage,’ aims to address this gap by employing dynamic simulation modelling. This approach considers the complexities and variations in energy use over time, the interactions between different elements of a building, as well as the additional energy used by unregulated systems which is becoming an increasing contributor to overall energy use and emissions.

At Futura Bright, we utilise dynamic simulation modelling to assess operational energy consumption and energy performance, providing valuable insights for carbon reduction. 

We are here to assist you in:

  • Bridging the ‘performance gap’
  • Fulfilling planning policy or end-client requirements
  • Informing and refining energy consumption targets
  • Understanding the actual operational energy performance
  • Gaining an accurate representation of an existing buildings and assisting you in building a decarbonisation plan to help manage your assets into the future.
Amid the UK's efforts to curtail carbon emissions, the significance of whole lifecycle carbon impact is growing. A whole lifecycle assessment comprehensively evaluates the emissions generated during a building's construction, use, and end-of-life phases.

Our whole lifecycle assessment service assists developers in gaining deeper insights into emissions. We offer guidance on measures that are attainable, carbon-efficient, and cost-effective in minimising overall life emissions.

We provide specialised guidance on calculating and reducing carbon emissions, ensuring to:
  • Assess and mitigate embodied carbon emissions
  • Benchmarking against relevant policy indicators
  • Incorporate efficient and cost-effective measures to reduce emissions
  • Fulfil planning policy or employer requirements
  • Demonstrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) credentials