Kimberley Lowe, the 2024 CIBSE ANZ Graduate of the Year, stands as an inspiring testament to the professional and personal growth opportunities afforded by the CIBSE ANZ Young Engineers Awards. As we look ahead to the 2025 awards, Kimberley's journey offers invaluable insights and encouragement for aspiring entrants.
Kimberley's experience as a finalist opened countless new doors, sparking conversations she hadn't anticipated. From casual chats in the office kitchen to networking with industry professionals at the CIBSE ANZ Young Engineers Awards night, she discovered a wealth of knowledge and connections that have enriched her career.
Reflecting on her participation, Kimberley highlights the sense of connection she felt with other competitors. “After digging so deep into my research, I gained new insights into the way I view the industry,” she shares. The Awards night offered a unique opportunity to observe how her peers approached their submissions, showcasing how personal experiences shape professional perspectives. Adding to this, CIBSE's guest speaker provided a seasoned viewpoint, bringing the competition's themes full circle.
Preparing her entry also deepened her understanding of a hot topic in the engineering world—AI's impact on design stages. Exploring this theme not only helped Kimberley develop her submission but also provided her with a clearer picture of the challenges professionals face in each design stage. Her advice to aspiring entrants is simple yet powerful: "Just do it! The process of planning, filming, and editing is an incredibly rewarding journey in itself."
Having graduated in 2023 with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Canterbury (with a minor in Biomedical Engineering), Kimberley has built a fulfilling career in HVAC and hydraulic systems design. Her passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative building design continues to drive her work.
Kimberley's long-term vision is just as inspiring. She aspires to contribute to high-impact projects across cities, leaving a tangible legacy in the built environment. Her thoughts on industry progress are clear: to achieve greater building performance, the focus must shift to reevaluating core design processes, particularly in early stages.
Since her participation in the Awards, Kimberley has stayed actively involved with CIBSE, joining the Young Engineers Network and attending events. These experiences have reinforced her sense of belonging within the engineering community and inspired her to think more critically about her career path.
As we gear up for the 2025 CIBSE ANZ Young Engineers Awards, Kimberley's story exemplifies the profound impact this competition can have on participants. For those considering entering, her journey is a reminder of the incredible opportunities for growth, connection, and inspiration that await.
Ready to stand out and share your reimagined vision of building performance with the world? The 2025 CIBSE ANZ Young Engineers Awards might just be your next big step!
Entries close 23 July.
Click here to start your entry for:
- Student of the Year
- Graduate of the Year
- Young Engineer of the Year
Nominations are also being sought for:
- Engineering Advocate of the Year
- Graduate Development Program of the Year
