ABSTRACT
The RICS SKA Rating is an assessment method that focuses on promoting environmental and sustainable good practice in the fit-out and refurbishment of existing buildings. RICS worked with the Association of Directors of Estates to develop SKA Higher Education. The fit-out was specifically designed to be low carbon and achieved a SKA Gold rating. The key to SKA’s growth is that it has been designed to be much cheaper and simpler to implement than other environmental assessment methods. SKA is entirely on-line with the guidance, assessment methodology and even the certification generated through the tool. SKA has a flexible scope as it assesses the project rather than the whole building. This means that the project team can get rewarded for implementing a good practice fit-out, even if the building has poor transport links or if it has inefficient central air conditioning plant.
