Consultancy of the Year – Up to 50 employees
Recognising the consultancy that has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the delivery of buildings with high levels of measured building performance and user satisfaction throughout their operating life.
Winner: Lawler Consulting
Lawler Consulting is ‘walking the talk’, the judges said, with the FitWell analysis of its head office in Kilkenny, Ireland, which has numerous features that support the wellbeing of its employees.
The multidisciplinary consultancy – which also has offices in Dublin, Cork and London – submitted a comprehensive and well-evidenced entry, the judges added, with strong and relevant supporting documentation.
It provided real evidence of work done and achievements with local authorities, including energy performance delivery for:
-
Dublin City Council, (2016-24), EPC 1: three leisure centres, 30% annual energy savings
-
Dublin City Council (2019-28), EPC 2: seven leisure centres, 35% annual energy savings
-
Meubles Furniture Store (2019), lighting upgrade, 61% saving on electricity cost
-
OPW Nenagh government offices (continuous), lighting upgrade, electricity usage reduced by more than 50%
The judges were impressed by Lawler’s focus on the net-zero carbon agenda, and on occupant and client satisfaction. In particular, they commented on the company making delivery of energy performance a standalone service offering.
An upfront bond is provided to the client and withheld until the intended energy performance is achieved, typically after 12 months’ occupancy. This encourages an ‘energy in use’ approach, and Lawler claims this is a much more effective way of delivering actual performance.
It has led to greater understanding beyond design and commissioning, it said, and enabled it to see the physical implementation, monitoring and verification, and product total life-cycle costing.
‘The transfer of risk to ourselves and assurance around building performance to our clients has been a significant innovation,’ Lawler said in its awards submission.
The judges also highlighted Lawler’s experience of using the NABERS system for improving building performance.
Overall, entries for this category were of a good standard, but the judges felt some would have benefitted from greater emphasis on details of performance for clients. The judges looked for more information on how firms are collaborating with and improving their clients’ buildings, and on the occupation of their own facilities.
Shortlist
EECO2
FairHeat
grfn