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UCL Soft Landings Framework

An introduction to smooth take-off and soft landings for handing over buildings from project teams to occupants at UCL

What is Soft Landings?

The Smooth Take-Off  & Soft Landings of UCL Projects is dependent upon the alignment of processes to meet the interests of those who design and construct a building with the interests of those who use and manage it. It aims to improve client and user experiences, with reduced re-visits, and to deliver a building that performs to client expectations.

By adopting Soft Landings, the way buildings are used, managed and maintained is integrated into the design process. Typically, many buildings are handed over in a state of poor operational readiness and do not achieve environmental targets or end-user requirements. Soft Landings bridges this “performance gap” by enabling the development of a deeper understanding of how buildings are actually used; this information is essential to inform better building design.

Soft Landings also places greater emphasis on commissioning and handover, so that building users understand how the building is supposed to operate and are able to control it effectively.

UCL Soft Landings Framework

This document takes you through 6 key steps in the UCL Smooth Take-Off & Soft Landings process. It is based on the BSRIA Soft Landings Framework (2014), taking into account forthcoming changes planned for 2018.                                                    

The document is intended to be used as a template for managing and reporting on the Soft Landings process on UCL capital projects over £2m. It is set out in the following sections:                                                   

  1. Briefing: review past experience, set environmental and other performance targets                                                   
  2. Design: review past experience, pitstop reviews.                                                   
  3. Construction: pitstop reviews, assess the impact of design changes, plan the handover process                                                    
  4. Pre-handover: environmental logging review, BMS demonstration, user guide, training.                                                    
  5. Initial Aftercare: on-site team, walkabouts, user guidance.                                                    
  6. Extended Aftercare: Aftercare review meetings, system and energy review, fine-tuning, POE.   
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Last updated: Wednesday, April 7, 2021