WelscapeWelscapeSKA rating Assessor
Prepared for project use
SKArating Higher Education 1.0 — RIBA Stage 0–6 Programme
When every deliverable, report and exercise has to happen, assuming all 125 in-programme Good Practice Measures are scoped in and targeted. Diamonds mark the stage by which a report or document must be issued to the team in final form — not when the Assessor submits it.
59 exercises · 125 GPMs · 11 scoped in for all fit-outs · Source: SKA rating Good Practice Measures for Higher Education, version 1.0 (2016–2024)
Owner SKA Assessor Main contractor Design team Technical consultants Client / university ActivityActiveOngoingIssued — final documentWorkshop / meetingALLScoped in for all fit-outs
SKA good practice measuresRIBA plan of work stage
Exercise / report / deliverableSKA GPM refsOwner 0Strategic Definition 1Preparation & Brief 2Concept Design 3Spatial Coordination 4Technical Design 5Manufacturing & Construction 6Handover & Close-out
Assessment, targeting & project set-up
Scheme selection & rating targetScheme selection & rating target
All GPMs  ·  SKA Assessor (Welscape)
SKA Higher Education 1.0, target rating and project boundary confirmed in the client brief.
S0 ISSUED
 All GPMs SKA Assessor
Pre-assessment workshop & GPM scopingPre-assessment workshop & GPM scoping
All 131 GPMs  ·  SKA Assessor (Welscape)
Workshop the full measure list; issue the scoping & targeting schedule by end of Stage 2. v1 scores against the measures in scope, so scoping decisions drive the rating directly.
S1 workshop  ·  S2 ISSUED
 All 131 GPMs SKA Assessor
Credit target tracker & scoring modelCredit target tracker & scoring model
All targeted GPMs  ·  SKA Assessor (Welscape)
Live model of in-scope vs achieved measures and the resulting rating band. Maintained from brief to handover.
S1 active  ·  S2 ongoing  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 All targeted GPMs SKA Assessor
ALLCCS registration & site monitoringCCS registration & site monitoring
D44  ·  Main contractor / PCSA · scoped in for all fit-outs
Considerate Constructors registration written into the contract; monitoring reports and score at handover.
S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D44 Main contractor
Social value action planSocial value action plan
P14  ·  University estates, client & PM
Social, economic and environmental plan committing to four or more criteria. In scope above £2m.
S1 active  ·  S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 P14 Client / university
DESIGN STAGE assessment reportDESIGN STAGE assessment report
All targeted GPMs  ·  SKA Assessor (Welscape)
Assessor's report on the targeted measures, issued at the end of technical design.
S4 ISSUED
 All targeted GPMs SKA Assessor
Pre-contract & subcontractor SKA briefingsPre-contract & subcontractor SKA briefings
D44 · D09 · D60 · D19  ·  SKA Assessor (Welscape)
Walk the contractor and each subcontractor through every targeted measure and its evidence.
S4 workshop  ·  S5 workshop
 D44 · D09 · D60 · D19 SKA Assessor
Site visits & credits-at-risk reportSite visits & credits-at-risk report
All targeted GPMs  ·  SKA Assessor (Welscape)
Site visits plus a mid-construction status report flagging measures at risk.
S5 ISSUED
 All targeted GPMs SKA Assessor
HANDOVER STAGE assessment reportHANDOVER STAGE assessment report
All targeted GPMs  ·  SKA Assessor (Welscape)
Evidence pack compiled, actuals verified, final rating issued.
S6 ISSUED
 All targeted GPMs SKA Assessor
Waste & resource management
ALLPre-refurbishment auditPre-refurbishment audit
D72  ·  Main contractor / PCSA · scoped in for all fit-outs
The manual is explicit: undertaken during Concept Design, equivalent to RIBA Stage 2. Must be issued to the team by end of Stage 2 — it sets every downstream waste decision.
S1 active  ·  S2 ISSUED
 D72 Main contractor
ALLDesigning out waste workshopsDesigning out waste workshops
D60  ·  Design team / specifier · scoped in for all fit-outs
Design-stage workshops, then a second round with the contractor and subcontractors at onboarding. Outputs feed the RMP.
S2 workshop  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 workshop  ·  S5 workshop
 D60 Design team
ALLResource Management Plan (RMP)Resource Management Plan (RMP)
D09  ·  Main contractor / PCSA · scoped in for all fit-outs
Opened once the pre-refurbishment audit lands, reviewed at design stage, updated on site, closed at handover.
S1 active  ·  S2 active  ·  S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D09 Main contractor
Waste targets — fit-out fabric & servicesWaste targets — fit-out fabric & services
D12 · D14 · D13 · D74 · D48 · D68  ·  Main contractor / PCSA
Reduction targets for gypsum, floor finishes, ceilings, raised access floor, doors and M&E services. Recorded in the RMP.
S2 active  ·  S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D12 · D14 · D13 · D74 · D48 · D68 Main contractor
Waste targets — furniture & equipmentWaste targets — furniture & equipment
D16 · D15 · D17 · D18 · D61 · D75  ·  Main contractor / PCSA
Reduction targets for chairs, workstations, storage, loose furniture, shopfitting display and specialist workbenches.
S2 active  ·  S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D16 · D15 · D17 · D18 · D61 · D75 Main contractor
Furniture & consumables inventoriesFurniture & consumables inventories
P15 · P16  ·  Main contractor / PCSA
Signed-off inventories of what is being stripped out, with re-use routes. Must precede strip-out.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 P15 · P16 Main contractor
Packaging waste reductionPackaging waste reduction
D73  ·  Main contractor / PCSA
Reusable packaging requirement written into specifications and supplier contracts from Stage 2.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D73 Main contractor
Energy & carbon
Energy modellingEnergy modelling
D66  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Operational energy forecast for the fitted-out space; design model at Stage 4, as-built check at Stage 6.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D66 Technical consultants
Passive design approachPassive design approach
E29  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Orientation, fabric, shading and natural ventilation. Locks at spatial coordination — cannot be added later.
S1 active  ·  S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing
 E29 Technical consultants
Lighting design, efficacy & controlsLighting design, efficacy & controls
D01 · E04 · E02 · D02 · E01  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Installed power density, LED efficacy, control zoning and controllability.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D01 · E04 · E02 · D02 · E01 Technical consultants
Daylighting & secondary glazingDaylighting & secondary glazing
D04 · E28  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Daylight improvement and secondary window treatments. Fabric-dependent, so fixed at spatial coordination.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D04 · E28 Technical consultants
HVAC efficiency, heat pumps & zone controlsHVAC efficiency, heat pumps & zone controls
E05 · E06 · D03  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Plant selection, zoning and control strategy for heating, cooling and ventilation.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 E05 · E06 · D03 Technical consultants
Hot water & primary energy sourceHot water & primary energy source
D05 · E11  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
DHW efficiency and the primary energy source serving the demise.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D05 · E11 Technical consultants
Ancillary & specialist equipment efficiencyAncillary & specialist equipment efficiency
E22 · D52 · E26 · E24 · D54  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
IT comms rooms, entrances, commercial service cabinets, hand-dryers and lifts.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 E22 · D52 · E26 · E24 · D54 Technical consultants
Energy sub-metering strategyEnergy sub-metering strategy
E09 · E08 · E25  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
End-use, thermal and specialist-area sub-metering. Layout must be fixed before first fix.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 E09 · E08 · E25 Technical consultants
Water & building services pollution
Sanitaryware & water efficiencySanitaryware & water efficiency
E14 · E23 · E12 · E16  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Tap flow rates, WC flush volumes and shower efficiency.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 E14 · E23 · E12 · E16 Technical consultants
Water shut-off, leak detection & meteringWater shut-off, leak detection & metering
E19 · E20 · E17 · E27 · E18  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Sanitary supply shut-off, leakage detection, meters, sub-meters and management software.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 E19 · E20 · E17 · E27 · E18 Technical consultants
Refrigerants — GWP, leak control & recoveryRefrigerants — GWP, leak control & recovery
D23 · D57 · D24 · D27  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Technical design items — refrigerant selection, leak prevention, detection and recovery land at Stage 4, not concept.
S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D23 · D57 · D24 · D27 Technical consultants
Plant noise limitsPlant noise limits
D25  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Acoustic strategy for external plant against background noise targets; verified on site.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D25 Technical consultants
Materials & product specification
Materials specification strategyMaterials specification strategy
D19  ·  Design team / specifier
The overarching commitment that SKA materials criteria are written into the specification. Issued at Stage 3 so it binds the tender package.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing
 D19 Design team
Timber & hardwoods chain of custodyTimber & hardwoods chain of custody
D20 · M05  ·  Design team / specifier
Considered from Stage 2 to protect chain of custody through procurement; the full CoC pack is only issuable at end of construction once every subcontractor's documentation is in.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 active  ·  S5 ISSUED
 D20 · M05 Design team
Responsible sourcing, recycled content & EPDResponsible sourcing, recycled content & EPD
D81 · D21 · D83  ·  Design team / specifier
Percentage targets across the whole material schedule — they can only be verified once the schedule is complete.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D81 · D21 · D83 Design team
Spec — partitions, ceilings & floorsSpec — partitions, ceilings & floors
M08 · M09 · M10 · M12 · M11 · M07 · M03  ·  Design team / specifier
Partitions, glazed partitions, ceilings, soft and hard flooring, raised floors and screed.
S2 active  ·  S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing
 M08 · M09 · M10 · M12 · M11 · M07 · M03 Design team
Spec — walls, doors, joinery & finishesSpec — walls, doors, joinery & finishes
M16 · M13 · M17 · M06 · M27 · M14 · M15 · D63 · M04 · M02  ·  Design team / specifier
Wall coverings, doors, joinery, countertops, paints, polishes, insulation and bricks.
S2 active  ·  S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing
 M16 · M13 · M17 · M06 · M27 · M14 · M15 · D63 · M04 · M02 Design team
Spec — furniture & seatingSpec — furniture & seating
M20 · M29 · M19 · M21 · M22  ·  Design team / specifier
Task seating, soft seating, workstations, storage and other loose furniture.
S2 active  ·  S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing
 M20 · M29 · M19 · M21 · M22 Design team
Spec — washroom, signage & ancillarySpec — washroom, signage & ancillary
M28 · M24 · M18 · M23 · M25 · M26  ·  Design team / specifier
WC cubicles and IPS, dispensers, kitchen fittings, window treatments, display equipment and signage.
S2 active  ·  S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing
 M28 · M24 · M18 · M23 · M25 · M26 Design team
Low-GWP insulationLow-GWP insulation
D22  ·  Design team / specifier
Blowing-agent GWP limits — a specification decision that has to precede the insulation package.
S2 active  ·  S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing
 D22 Design team
Product evidence pack (EPD / Ecolabel / CoC)Product evidence pack (EPD / Ecolabel / CoC)
All M-series · D20 · D83  ·  Design team / specifier
Certification checked from Stage 2 as products are shortlisted. Design stage pack at Stage 4; as-installed pack, covering substitutions, at handover.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 All M-series · D20 · D83 Design team
Wellbeing & indoor environment
Thermal comfort assessmentThermal comfort assessment
D28  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Modelled comfort criteria for the fitted-out space; verified post-commissioning.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D28 Technical consultants
Acoustic designAcoustic design
D29  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Room acoustics and sound insulation across teaching, study and lab spaces.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D29 Technical consultants
Lighting design & glare controlLighting design & glare control
D30 · D31  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Illuminance, quality and daylight glare control — distinct from the D01 energy criteria.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D30 · D31 Technical consultants
Ventilation rates, occupant control & CO₂Ventilation rates, occupant control & CO₂
D33 · D32 · D40  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Fresh air rates, local HVAC controllability and CO₂ monitoring.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D33 · D32 · D40 Technical consultants
Air quality — filtration & ductworkAir quality — filtration & ductwork
D37 · D36 · D64  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Fine filters, cleaning of existing supply ductwork, low-VOC finishes and VOC monitors.
S3 active  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D37 · D36 · D64 Technical consultants
Outside views & biophilic designOutside views & biophilic design
D39 · D77  ·  Design team / specifier
View lines and biophilic strategy — both depend on the plan, so they fix at spatial coordination.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D39 · D77 Design team
Breakout space & personal storageBreakout space & personal storage
D62 · D76  ·  Design team / specifier
Dedicated breakout provision and personal storage allocation on the floor plate.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D62 · D76 Design team
Laboratory & specialist spaces
Good laboratory design reviewGood laboratory design review
D82  ·  Design team / specifier
HE-specific. Lab layout, containment, servicing and flexibility reviewed against the criteria.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D82 Design team
Fume cupboards & specialist ventilationFume cupboards & specialist ventilation
E30 · D51 · D35  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Fume cupboard selection and operation, specialist ventilation, and printer-copier area extract.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 E30 · D51 · D35 Technical consultants
Air quality impact assessment (flues)Air quality impact assessment (flues)
P17  ·  MEP, energy, acoustic & air quality consultants
Dispersion analysis on new fume cupboard, safety cabinet or boiler flues. Feeds back into flue design, so it must run before the design freezes.
S2 active  ·  S3 ongoing  ·  S4 ISSUED
 P17 Technical consultants
Laboratory furniture storage logisticsLaboratory furniture storage logistics
P13  ·  Main contractor / PCSA
Framework for maximising re-use of lab furniture over recycling, with a signed-off removal inventory.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 P13 Main contractor
Space planning, transport & ecology
Cycle parking, showers & cyclist lockersCycle parking, showers & cyclist lockers
D41 · D42 · D43  ·  Design team / specifier
Floor and core area reserved at concept and fixed at spatial coordination — cannot be retro-fitted.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D41 · D42 · D43 Design team
Travel plans — building & campusTravel plans — building & campus
D78 · D79  ·  University estates, client & PM
University-level documents. Often already exist — confirm currency early rather than commissioning late.
S1 active  ·  S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D78 · D79 Client / university
ALLRecyclable waste storage spaceRecyclable waste storage space
D08  ·  Design team / specifier · scoped in for all fit-outs
Segregated storage sized and located on the floor plate; layout fixed at Stage 3.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D08 Design team
BiodiversityBiodiversity
D80  ·  Design team / specifier
Space for biodiversity designed in — roof, terrace or external area. Needs to land while the design still has room for it.
S2 active  ·  S3 ISSUED  ·  S4 ongoing  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D80 Design team
Soft Landings, handover & training
ALLSoft Landings design workshopsSoft Landings design workshops
D69  ·  Design team / specifier · scoped in for all fit-outs
The manual states the Soft Landings process starts at RIBA Stage 2 and continues for three years after practical completion.
S1 active  ·  S2 workshop  ·  S3 workshop  ·  S4 workshop
 D69 Design team
ALLSoft Landings commissioning & trainingSoft Landings commissioning & training
D70  ·  Main contractor / PCSA · scoped in for all fit-outs
Commissioning records, operator training and handover programme.
S4 active  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D70 Main contractor
ALLBuilding User GuideBuilding User Guide
D45  ·  Main contractor / PCSA · scoped in for all fit-outs
Plain-language occupant and estates guide. Committed at design stage, issued at handover.
S4 active  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D45 Main contractor
Construction-phase monitoring
ALLFit-out energy useFit-out energy use
P01  ·  Main contractor / PCSA · scoped in for all fit-outs
Commitment at design stage, metered through the works, records reviewed at handover.
S4 active  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 P01 Main contractor
ALLFit-out water useFit-out water use
P07  ·  Main contractor / PCSA · scoped in for all fit-outs
Metered through the works; data uploaded to the SKA tool at project end.
S4 active  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 P07 Main contractor
ALLFit-out VOC monitoringFit-out VOC monitoring
P12  ·  Main contractor / PCSA · scoped in for all fit-outs
VOC levels monitored and recorded on site through the fit-out.
S4 active  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 P12 Main contractor
Construction phase CO₂ emissionsConstruction phase CO₂ emissions
D59  ·  Main contractor / PCSA
Deliveries, waste removal and site energy logged through construction.
S4 active  ·  S5 ongoing  ·  S6 ISSUED
 D59 Main contractor
Hover any row for what it requires and when.
Stage 2 is the pinch point, and here the manual says so outright: the pre-refurbishment audit is to be undertaken “during Concept Design stage, equivalent to RIBA stage 2”, and Soft Landings “starts at RIBA stage 2”.
Stage 4 freezes the design for most measures — but not all. D72, D60, D19 and the space-planning measures are constrained earlier; D20 chain of custody cannot be closed until every subcontractor's documentation is in at end of construction.
Version 1 carries almost no RIBA staging of its own. Only D72 and the three Soft Landings measures name a RIBA stage. The stage placings here are reasoned from what each measure requires, not quoted from the manual.
Six GPMs sit outside RIBA 0–6. P05, P06, P08, P10 and P11 each state they can only be assessed after a minimum of one year's occupation; D71 Soft Landings aftercare runs three years past practical completion.