2025 Building Performance Winners

Cyclops - Foster + Partners

By delivering significant time savings, the judges said Foster + Partners' software tool Cyclops has the potential to revolutionise the way software is used in our industry.

The aim of Cyclops is to make design analysis more accessible and shorten the evaluation process, allowing designers to focus on designing, rather than waiting for the results of environmental simulations.

The software was developed using graphic processing unit software to integrate real-time analysis into the design process, thereby addressing the challenge of time-consuming analytical cycles and interoperability issues in the digitisation of building projects.

Cyclops has 17 types of analysis, including sunlight hours, geometry visibility, sky component, cumulative radiation, and various daylight metrics, such as daylight factor, autonomy, and illuminance. It has been implemented as a plugin for Rhino and Grasshopper modelling software, allowing seamless adoption of Cyclops analysis into existing workflows.

The programme has had a rapid adoption rate, with more than 200 unique users within the first six months of release, representing 40% of Rhino users. A global cross-disciplinary user group, made up of architects and engineers, ensures Cyclops evolves with the digital demands of the organisation, with the incorporation of new analyses.

To encourage employees to adopt Cyclops into their workflows, Foster + Partners developed templated workflows and tutorial files for each analysis type, and made the software accessible through the company intranet.

Comparing it with established analysis industry tools, Foster + Partners says Cyclops is 50 times faster than sky component analyses, 800 time faster than sky radiation, and 10,000 times faster than sunlight hour analyses.

The acceleration in analysis not only allows real-time interaction, but it also greatly impacts algorithms that run repeated analyses. Faster analyses, in combination with template files, which automatically import models and generate reports, have resulted in analysis turnaround time on a new project of 2-3 hours, compared with what would usually take 2-3 days.

The judges admired Foster + Partners' foresight in 'driving software development internally, rather than waiting for the market to catch up with its level of innovation'.

'Cyclops could create a seismic shift in the way software is used; we see it having a bright future,' they said.

The standard of entries for this award was very high and they were accompanied by high-quality evidence, said the judges who added: 'It was good to see recognition of the importance of data quality in the built environment and its accessibility through dashboards and benchmarking.'

Sponsor: ABB

AtkinsRéalis

The judges applauded AtkinsRéalis' 'very strong entry' for its notable focus on decarbonisation and post-occupancy evaluation (POE).

Its decarbonisation tool, aimed at reducing operational energy in existing buildings, was used to assess more than 3,000 developments in 12 months, leading to £1.54bn in cost savings.

AtkinsRéalis used the tool on its on buildings, including its head office in Epsom, which achieved a 40% reduction in carbon emissions. Retrofitting of its estate has helped contribute towards a 55% reduction in the company's carbon footprint between 2019 and 2023, keeping it on track to meet its 2030 net zero goal.

The judges praised the outstanding client feedback and commended AtkinsRéalis for implementing practices that gathered actionable insights from building users.

Methods for gathering feedback and measuring client and occupant satisfaction include project and customer perception surveys, which are then incorporated into weekly reports for operational teams.

The judges also commented on AtkinsRéalis strong POE strategy. Operational energy is one of the eight pillars in the company's Azolla tool, which assesses every building project against a sustainable framework.

Incorporating benchmarks form the likes of LETI, CIBSE and BREEAM, Azolla guides projects through POE with the use of commissioning, seasonal commissioning, monitoring in use, and user feedback.

AtkinsRéalis has been involved in the RIBA Social Value Toolkit, using insight from its Human Centered Design tool, which focuses on POE factors such as light, sound, air quality, temperature, movement, ownership, flexibility, interaction, and connectivity.

The judges were pleased to see policies around equity, diversion and inclusion (ED&I) 'expand beyond company borders' to supply chains and have an impact on clients.

Recent ED&I initiatives include a new training module on the inclusion of neurodiverse people, and the company's Career deflection report  offers insight into overcoming career barriers for women and ethnic minorities.

Training initiatives included a 'Carbon Academy', a six-month course developed with the UK Green Building COuncil, which aims to upskill building design staff worldwide in designing for net zero.

AtkinsRéalis has conducted more than 70 CPDs with industry experts in the past 12 months and, to support the implementation of the Building Safety Act 2022, it has run mandatory webinars for client advisers, project managers, and designers.

The company has a returners' programme, supporting women and parents returning to work, and was named by The Times as one of the Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality in 2024. It also became the first engineering company to receive Clear Assured Platinum Standard Accreditation for integrating ED&I.

Highly commended: Buro Happold

Sponsor: Airflow Developments

XCO2

'A truly, global approach to sustainability' has won XCO2 an unprecedented fourth consecutive triumph in one of CIBSE's most competitive award categories.

The company is committed to advancing sustainable design and engineering internationally and has worked in nearly 50 countries, adapting projects to diverse climates and communities.

Landmark projects overseas have included pro bon work on a new passive-designed monastic school in the Indian Himalayas and piloting a new framework for assessing climate change risks in the Galapagos Islands.

The judges said it was 'great to see a UK-based business finding value in evaluating climate change risk in the Galapagos and optimising building performance in the Himalayas'.

Innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility are central to XCO2's work, particularly in three areas: advancing net zero principles; championing material reuse; and driving social change.

The company saw significant growth in its project portfolio last year, securing several new contracts, including the Hackney New Homes Programme. It also co-authored the Retrofit Social Housing, which guides local authorities and social housing providers in retrofitting housing stock at scale.

As co-chair of the homes task group for the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS), XCO2 played an integral role in analysing case studies that inform operational energy benchmarks, ensuring the NZCBS is grounded in real-world applications.

The award judges were very interested in XCO2's artificial intelligence collaboration with University College London, which is developing machine-learning models based on 17 years of project data. XCO2 said the models would improve predictions around energy performance and overheating risks, and guide project decision-making.

XCO2 is championing material reuse in a big way, offering pre-demolition audits to identify reusable materials. Through its partnership with Excess Materials Exchange, it is integrating materials into a reuse market, advancing the circular economy.

The company's expertise is evident by the number of its staff on design-review panels, including Hounslow, Westminster, and Greater Cambridge. Their involvement ensures XCO2's insights into sustainable design and building performance are embedded in key projects across the UK.

Highly commended: Max Fordham

Sponsor: CMR

Q Sustain

The judges commended Q Sustain for 'providing clear, quantifiable evidence of the added value and whole life carbon reductions achieved' through its innovative retrofit of the lighting at Birmingham New Street Station.

Its demonstration of 'proactive client engagement' and 'significant knowledge sharing with industry' were also noted as standout qualities.

Faced with the challenges of retrofitting versus replacement, the judges felt that Q Sustain had 'gone over and above in working closely with the supply chain to gain the right data and understanding in order to inform its solutions'.

In 2022, Q Sustain was tasked by Network Rail with replacing 891 fluorescent lights at Birmingham New Street Station as they reached the end of their life. Rather than simply replacing the fittings, the team suggested retrofitting the existing luminaries by replacing only the gear trays.

This approach reduced the need for new materials, extended the life of the existing components, and significantly lowered embodied carbon, while meeting sustainability goals.

Using the CIBSE TM65 methodology, Q Sustain quantified the carbon savings achieved. The retrofit design saved 163 tonnes of CO2e in embodied carbon, equating to 39% of the whole-life carbon emissions compared with the original replacement plan.

Operational carbon was also significantly reduced, with the new LEDs consuming only 30W per point compared with the original 70W, resulting in annual savings of 67 tonnes of C02e.

Installation time, labour costs, and waste were also reduced, ensuring minimal disruption to the live retail environment. The retrofitted luminaries improved lighting quality by 150% while future-proofing the system for ease of upgrades.

Q Sustain shared this success widely, publishing technical papers, contributing to CIBSE Journal and ECA Today, and is in the process of creating a CIBSE-approved CPD.

The judges commented on 'a significant increase in the quality of the entries' in this category, with many consultancies doing a 'pt of great work to improve their understanding and their processes in assessing and reducing embodied carbon in their projects'.

They agreed that the 'next step would be to provide evidence from contractors/clients in the uptake of consultant advice and quantify the real impact of their solutions'.

Highly commended: AECOM

Sponsor: CIBSE Lifecycle Carbon Assessment Training

L&G's Symphony Model - Legal & General, Demand Logic, Bellrock and Partners

Judges hailed L&G's Symphony Model as a game-changing tool for optimising building performance. Commended for its collaborative approach, the Symphony Model stood out for its ability to be easily replicated, delivering widespread benefits to clients and project teams.

The Symphony Model is a data-centric building management strategy that aims to improve occupier experience by promoting health and wellbeing and bolstering energy efficiency and sustainability.

A well-deserved winner, the Symphony Model earned high praise from the judge for its holistic approach, bringing together facilities managers, M&E suppliers, tenants, and consultants to strive towards a shared vision.

The Symphony Academy was established alongside the model, to train team members in the digital skills and modern maintenance techniques necessary to fully optimise the system.

Through a suite of tolls and processes, the Symphony Model extracts valuable insights and facilitates knowledge sharing across teams. Demand Logic's software platform analyses HVAC data, and when operational issues are uncovered, building performance actions are flagged in daily briefings via Bellrock's Concerto project management software.

Service delivery and building managers oversee issue resolution, often remotely, with the help of technical support from Smart Managed Solutions and Hilson Moran. Regular calls and feedback sessions are held, allowing teams to share challenges, successes and lessons learned.

The assessment criteria includes risk scores based on asset/plant criticality, lifespan and impact on people and buildings.

For example, for fan coil maintenance, underperforming units were identified using Demand Logic software, and schedules were updated to prioritise their maintenance. AirRated, an indoor air quality certification provider, is also integrated with Demand Logic, to flag any issues with indoor environmental quality.

During six months in 2023, 2,941 actions were undertaken, with 87.5% of reported incidents fixed remotely. As a result of the actions 300,000 kWh of energy was saved, while proactive maintenance reduced callout costs by £208,450.

Data reveals where a certain design approach has made it harder to maintain environmental conditions and this knowledge is passed on to designers, who can mitigate the issue in future projects.

The model was rolled out to 28 properties between September 2020 and December 2023 and was expected to be installed across Legal & General Investment Management's full property portfolio by the end of last year.

Sponsor: Gratte Brothers Group

20 Fenchurch Street - Savills

Standing out in a strong field, Savills secured the Facilities Management Award for its exceptional energy-saving achievements at 20 Fenchurch Street.

Judges recognised Savills for demonstrating the substantial role FM plats in boosting building performance. 'The winner in this category shows how a proactive approach to FM can yield dividends over a relatively short timeframe,' they noted.

Gas consumption fell by 10.6% and electricity by 5.3% in 2023, despite occupancy rising by more than a third over the same period. The team also had the challenges of managing more than one million visitors to the iconic Sky Garden on the 43rd floor.

Carbon emissions fell as pumps and lighting were recommissioned, building management systems controls optimised, and occupants actively engaged in energy-saving strategies. The team also focused on recycling and wellbeing initiatives, and reduced water use by an impressive 21.8%.

Strategies to reduce energy use included adjusting plant running times based on occupancy trends, reducing 24/7 operations, and conducting detailed analysis to identify and address anomalies in thermal energy consumption.

Lighting use was reduced by setting up presence detection during office hours and implementing a 'Project Go Dark' initiative, to ensure 78% of lighting turns off outside of business hours.

To achieve operational efficiency, the FM team moved its office form the 23rd floor to the basement, to foster closer relationships with the service teams. Team leaders meet in 'daily morning huddles' to prioritise actions, and a monthly diversity, equality, and inclusion meeting has sessions on issues such as unconscious bias and microaggressions.

A digital-led maintenance programme ensures defects are logged automatically through the CAFM system, while more than 700 submeters collect energy data. This is analysed for energy-saving opportunities and shared with tenants via an online platform.

An internally developed 'energy Strava' toll also anonymously ranks tenant energy performance, motivating occupants to set more ambitious environmental goals. Recycling rates have been boosted to more than 75%, thanks to the introduction of 14 waste streams.

A dedicated energy and sustainability manager oversees energy projects, data analysis, and tenant engagement, and collaborates with procurement teams.

As a result of these positive actions, the team is now pursuing Breeam In Use certification, with a projected 'Outstanding' score.

Judges praised the consistently high standard of entries in the shortlist, and said the scoring was particularly close in this category.

Sponsor: BCIA

The ZERO teaching and internship programme on zero-carbon energy buildings - ZERO Institute, University of Oxford

The Zero Internship Programme combines advanced teaching methodologies with real-world projects to contribute directly to Oxford's net zero energy transition.

The judges were impressed by the ZERO Internship Programme and the potential significant impact on Oxford. They said the model could be scaled up to operate in across more cities and communities.

They noted that the programme had received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students highlighting its effectiveness and relevance.

Led by Professor Led by Professor Jesús Lizana, the internship programme is designed to train the next generation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering leaders.

Launched in May 2024, the programme includes degree courses and summer schools and internships, tailored to engineering students. Participants interact with clients and industry experts, and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools such as energy diagnostics equipment and advanced simulation software.

Projects range from foundational MEP concepts to complex energy system designs and are supervised by ZERO Institute professionals. At the end of each course, students present their findings to stakeholders, helping to inform actionable steps towards Oxford’s net zero targets.

In its first year, the programme trained 36 students across three sessions, and completed 11 energy audits, five case studies and one onsite intervention. Eight local institutions and engineering consultancies supported these efforts, resulting in an estimated reduction of 5,395.5kgCO₂e.

Student surveys revealed high satisfaction, with 88.9% recommending the programme and 94.4% expressing an interest in advanced learning.

Despite challenges such as creating new teaching materials, securing funding and supervising real-world projects, the ZERO Internship Programme produced substantial resources, including custom software, open-access codes, video tutorials

and academic publications. These resources aim to enhance learning while promoting international dissemination.

The programme’s long-term vision is to maximise its contribution to the net zero transition by expanding globally, involving more universities, and offering additional courses.

Throughout the category, the judges said there were ‘many excellent entries, showing the importance of training and development in delivering change across the industry’.

They added that it was positive to see entries focusing on practical experience and integration of feedback, data and performance into learning activities.

Highly commended: Building Safety Act - Training and Assessment - Hoare Lea

Optimum Air Conditioning System - EcoTechX

EcoTechX was praised by the judges for its optimum air conditioning system, which 'demonstrated genuine innovation with broad applicability across property types and use cases'.

They were impressed by how its design integrated with existing systems to enhance efficiency and sustainability without requiring a full replacement. The product addresses thermal and humidity aspects, delivering comfort in a less energy-intensive, low-maintenance solution.

EcoTech's novel indirect evaporative cooler (NIEC) is an energy-efficient cooling system designed to improve building performance while reducing environmental impact. Unlike traditional air conditioning (AC) systems, the NIEC uses water's natural cooling properties to achieve superior thermal comfort without chemical refrigerants or high energy consumption.

Operating through a humidified and heat exchanger system, the NIEC reduced air temperatures without adding moisture, maintaining indoor humidity levels. It achieves indoor temperatures of approximately 22°C, ideal for occupant comfort and equipment performance.

The systems consumes 65% less energy than conventional AC systems and can lower capita costs by 50%. Its ability to integrate with existing systems as a pre-cooler also boosts energy efficiency by up to 45%, making it a versatile solution for a variety of applications.

The NIEC tackles two key challenges in cooling systems: reducing operational energy consumption and eliminating chemical refrigerants. With a plug-and-play modular design, minimal maintenance requirements and low embodied carbon, the NIEC - using recyclable materials, such as plastic for heat exchangers - delivers operational and life-cycle sustainability.

Backed by Innovate UK funding, it has expanded into commercial deployments and hybrid applications. Positive user feedback highlights enhanced air quality, significant energy savings, and ease of installation, making it a scalable and accessible solution.

The judges noted that the entries this year were of a high quality and demonstrated innovation, with many new technologies.

Adaptation to climate change, in terms or thermal comfort, was a repeated theme across many of the entries, and the judges observed 'a move away from refrigerant-based cooling to more natural means of temperature control, which helps to lower embodied carbon'.

Highly commended: Passive Cooling Double-skin Roof - Universidad de Sevilla

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

Agar Grove 1b - Max Fordham

In a highly competitive field, the judges hailed Agar Grove 1b's exemplary application of design best practice on a large scale. They praised Max Fordham's comprehensive focus on building performance and its steadfast commitment to serving the local community.

The project marks the second phase of one of the largest Passivhaus housing schemes in the UK, compromising 34 council-owned and 23 private homes. Max Fordham adopted a passive-first approach to M&E design, prioritising minimal heat less and energy use.

Communal boilers supply low temperature hot water to hydraulic interface units in each flat, for space heating and domestic hot water. The block-by-block system allows for lower system temperatures and shorter pipe runs, resulting in an impressive 70% energy efficiency for the network, with flow and return temperatures measured at 57/36°C – well ahead of industry best practice standards at the time of development.

Although the judges noted tat the energy source is currently gas, they said the project followed the best available guidance at the time and proactively considered future-proofing and the transition to net zero.

The low-tempurature network design means that boilers could be easily swapped out for heat pumps and Agar Grove Phase 1c will feature heat pumps instead of as boilers.

The project's impressive performance is borne out by occupant surveys: 94% said they found the conditions of their home in winter to be very satisfactory or satisfactory; and 58% said the temperature of their home in summer was very satisfactory or satisfactory. This was a very positive response considering the survey was recorded after the hottest summer on record.

The homes replace low-rise 1960s blocks that were inefficient and expensive to heat. Residents were consulted closely on the design, with 90% commenting on the proposals - all were offered a home in the new development.

After handover, the contractor and client teams collaborated to create clear, understandable home-user guides for residents.

Overheating was considered carefully. Max Fordham used dynamic modeling using the Islingting 2030 design summer year to appraise the design risk, and results were compared against CIBSE TM52's adaptive overheating criteria. There was a drive to provide dual-aspect homes wherever possible, to optimise passive ventilation. On façades facing noisy streets, large openings were provided to flush heat from spaces quickly, preventing the need for windows to be open for long periods of time.

The judges said it was important to recognise Agar Grove 1b as a trailblazer for large, complex housing projects. ‘It’s precisely in these more challenging, larger-scale environments where our industry’s most meaningful progress can be made,’ they said.

Highly commended: Brambles - Bere Architects

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

Globe Point Temple - Hoare Lea

Globe Point is a landmark project in Temple, Leeds, transforming a challenging triangular site into a Grade A office space that prioritises sustainability, occupant wellbeing and energy performance.

The judges said Hoare Lea’s ‘ability to close out and demonstrate in-use performance has been exceptional, as recognised by WELL, NABERS, and BREEAM certifications’.

The team, they added, had shown ‘great use of a digital twin to understand and improve energy performance’. It also showcased a commitment to learning, applying insights from this project to inform future developments.

Designed for CEG, Globe Point combines industrial heritage with contemporary design, addressing constraints such as conservation requirements and a complex construction timeline during the pandemic.

Despite these challenges, the project achieved BREEAM New Construction Excellent, a NABERS Design for Performance 4.5-star rating, WiredScore Platinum certification, and BREEAM In Use Outstanding certification.

The all-electric building operates on 100% renewable energy, leveraging advanced energy modeling to surpass compliance standards. This modeling informed key design and operational decisions, ensuring alignment with performance goals.

Post-occupancy, the building employs extensive performance monitoring and seasonal commissioning to optimise energy use. 

A digital twin integrates real-time data with the NABERS model, allowing adjustments such as variable refrigerant flow system optimisation to reduce energy consumption significantly.

Tenant engagement has been pivotal to Globe Point’s success. Regular feedback informed system adjustments, highlighting the importance of occupant behaviour in achieving performance targets. By fostering collaboration with tenant teams during fit-outs, the project ensured that advanced systems were used effectively.

This holistic approach extends to sustainability, with low embodied carbon materials, high indoor air quality and biophilic design elements enhancing the workplace

experience. Globe Point not only sets a benchmark for operational performance, but also creates an inspiring environment for its occupants.

The judges were impressed by the high quality of submissions across this category.

The Entopia Building - Max Fordham, Architype and BDP

Sydney Airport Terminal T1 Chilled Water Plant Optimisation - A. G. Coombs Group, Exergenics

The judges were highly impressed with this project, noting its ability to achieve significant energy savings in the first year while continuing to improve the chiller system's efficiency. They praised the innovative use of digitalisation of existing equipment and controls systems, tied together with real-world data.

Sydney Airport engaged A. G. Coobs and Exergenics to optimise the chilled water plant at Terminal 1 (International), aiming to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and improve passenger comfort. Through machine learning, model predictive control, and advanced algorithms, the project achieved impressive outcomes with minimal disruption and no hardware upgrades.

The optimisation approach leveraged real-world data, moving beyond traditional reliance on manufacturers' specifications. It identified precise operational efficiencies for chillers, pumps and cooling towers, ensuring optimal performance based on actual equipment conditions. Key improvements included:

• Secondary pump staging and flow reset
• Dynamic condenser water temperature resets
• Enhanced chiller sequencing and demand setpoints
• Implementation of a stage-based dynamic condenser water temperature reset algorithm

These measures achieved a 33.4% increase in efficiency, reducing energy consumption by 890,094 kWh and cutting GHG emissions by 704 tCO2 and achieving energy cost savings of $124,600 (£98,000) over nine months.

The project's overall annual reduction in energy consumption was 1,742,000 kWh, 1,377 tCO2, and $243,880 (£191,800). Despite initial estimates of a two-year payback, the project achieved full return on investment in just 12 months.

The innovative software-based optimisation methodology required no additional hardware, overcoming challenges such as Sydney Airport's strict cybersecurity requirements. By using a cloud-based model and air-gapped data transfer, the team delivered rapid results while maintaining robust system security.

This project highlights the transformative potential of advanced data analytics and machine learning for HVAC optimisation, delivering scalable solutions for energy efficiency.

The judges commended the high standard of entries in this category, which showcased exceptional approaches to decarbonisation and energy optimisation. While many outstanding submissions did not make the shortlist, all demonstrated significant innovation and impact.

'It is good to see considerable progress in the digitalisation of the O&M sector,' they said. 'This has the potential to open up new avenues of data and insight into building life-cycles to enable improvements in user experience and compliance in real-time.'

Highly commended: Paper Trails to Digital Triumphs

Sponsor: Mitsubishi Electric

Cyclone Energy Group

The judges were drawn to this Chicago-based consultancy's innovative approach, particularly its use of geo-exchange systems in two high-rise residential projects — the first of their kind in the US> They described Cyclones' commitment to post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of more than 51 projects as 'very impressive for a business of this size'.

The company's impactful outreach was also praised, as was its volunteer service day for staff and its efforts to educate architects on decarbonisation.

Cyclone Energy Group is a 28-person consultancy dedicated to optimising building performance across all life-cycle stages. Its four interdisciplinary teams use advanced tools and techniques to reduce operational and embodied carbon, improve energy efficiency, and deliver healthier buildings.

Highlights include designing net zero carbon roadmaps for iconic Chicago b buildings such as Willis Tower and evaluating paths to zero carbon for global firms such as Amazon and JP Morgan Chase. Cyclone's use of AI drones to assess building envelopes and virtual reality to visualise energy models demonstrates its innovative use of technology.

By applying operational and embodied carbon life-cycle modelling, the firm guided Chicago's first high-rise geo-exchange systems, setting new benchmarks in sustainable design.

Cyclone's commitment extends beyond projects. The team's dedicated to client collaboration is matched by a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, implementing blind recruitment practices, and mentoring underrepresented groups.

Cyclone's outreach includes guest lectures, publishing blogs, and hosting workshops, such as STEM event at Willis Tower that inspired 900 children. Internally, the firm fosters a flat organisational structure that eliminates managerial tiers, relying instead on knowledge and experience-based titles and promotions. The company offers flexible working arrangements and unlimited paid leave, ensuring team wellbeing and retention.

Judges praises the high standard of submissions across the category, with many demonstrating strong client relationships, innovative practices, and a shared commitment to health and safety. Cyclone Energy Group stood out for its pioneering work and dedication to driving industry-wide change.

Sponsor: CIBSE Certification Ltd

Apollo Fire Detectors

Apollo Fire Detectors' extensive efforts to understand the embodied carbon of its products, and its measures to achieve significant reductions, impressed the judges of this category.

The company has assessed embodies carbon for almost 100 products using the CIBSE TM65 calculation, and is committed to responding to requests for data.

It has completed life-cycle assessments for 32 products and an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) fo four products is currently being verified.

Apollo has been redesigning its products to reduce their embodied carbon, including an audio-visual product that has its embodied carbon cut by more than 1kgCO2e.

The company has also cut embodied carbon from the manufacturing stage by reducing waste and using onsite renewable electricity and has worked with suppliers to reduce the embodied carbon in raw materials. A life-cycle assessment suggests a reduction of 114,453 kgCO2e over the building's life.

Apollo's contribution to industry knowledge, maximising the sharing of information through its dissemination activities, also scored highly with the judges.

The company shared data on the embodied carbon of product systems featuring its components. For products it doesn't sell, such as fire cables and panels, it uses data from TM65s and EPDs to calculate embodied carbon for systems over a building's life.

This helps Apollo identify high-impact products, and highlights the importance of system design - and the contribution of all stakeholders - in reducing embodied carbon.

The judges said there was a significant increase in the quality of entries for this award, and they applauded manufacturers for taking embodied carbon seriously. They also noted significant efforts to allocate resources towards its assessment and reduction, reflecting a growing commitment to reducing carbon.

This year's entries showed a better understanding of calculation method, the judges added, and there has been a transition to higher-level assessments for MEP products, such as EPDs.

Entrants were also praised for proactively sharing their insights and lessons learned, fostering collaboration and driving progress across the industry.

London Borough of Islington

'The comprehensive approach to decarbonisation, commitment to social values, and performance metrics in energy and carbon' of the London Borough of Islington (LBI) were praised by the judges who felt that the council's core driver of achieving a 'More equal future' for its community was evident throughout its projects.

They noted that LBI demonstrated an impressive understanding of the business and economic impacts of its ambitious plans, supported by clear outputs and evidence of success.

LBI's relentless pursuit of its Net Zero 2030 vision is reflected in its delivery of more than 50 decarbonisation projects, including the flagship Waste Recycling Centre (WRC) redevelopment. As the council's largest energy consumer, the WRC project achieved dull electrification removing all gas-fed appliances and installing 852 solar panels, which generate 348,658 kWH annually.

The transformation reduced operational costs and emissions while preparing the site for future decarbonisation of the vehicle fleet. Notably, 92.5% of the material removed during construction were recycled, demonstrating LBI's commitment to sustainable practices.

LBI's collaborative approach ensures strong partnerships across projects, such as Beacon High, Drayton Park School, and the Laycock Centre. By adopting a whole-life performance perspective, the council maximised operational efficiencies, reduced emissions, and delayed projects where necessary to pursue lower-carbon solutions.

Its use of innovative tools such as Navigator, for real-time project updates, further supports its transparent and team-orientated delivery.

Community impact is central to LBI's ethos. During the WRC project, £13,000 was raised for local charities, £9,000 was directed to local businesses, and career talks were provided to local schools.

LBI also shared its expertise widely, participating in industry events, publishing case studies, and contributing to SLIX bulletins to inspire similar action in other councils.

Commitment to carbon reduction and net zero was evident across this category, said the judge.

Sponsor: Ideal Heating Commercial

Volkan Doda, Head of Design Technologies - Atelier Ten

The judges were unanimous in selecting Volkan Doda as the winner. Amid strong competition, he stood out for his ability to 'bridge gaps between academic, constant learning and high-performance building design', they said.

The judges were also impressed with how his work exemplifies the integration of physics, creativity, and collaboration to solve complex challenges.

Doda — who joined Atelier Ten in 2013, and was nominated for the award by director Duncan Campbell and founder and chairman Patrick Bellow — is described as a creative, thoughtful and committed designer, who seamlessly blends engineering, building physics, and sustainable design.

Campbell said 'his curiosity drives him to continually explore and develop his expertise, pushing for better solutions and better ways of reaching those solutions'. He applauded the way that Doda combines deep technical knowledge with an 'empathetic communication style', making him invaluable in translating complex ideas into actionable solutions for clients, collaborators, and his team.

'Whenever we have a multidimensional performance challenge that looks impossible to solve, we ask Volkan,' Bellew said.

At Atelier Ten, Doda leads a culture of collaboration and mentorship, through initiatives such as cross-discipline expert practices and weekly knowledge-sharing sessions, ensuring the latest approaches are embedded across the organisation. His leadership has shaped a highly skilled team while advancing Atelier Ten's mission of sustainable design.

Under his leadership, cross-discipline expert proactive groups covering topics from daylighting to project management have been set up, with a remit to research, develop, and embed the latest and best approaches in their areas of expertise.

Doda's innovative use of data and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence tools, has redefined how Atelier Ten delivers high-performance solutions.

The standard of the shortlisted entries was very high this year, the judges said, and 'the use of big data sets has come to the fore, redefining the solutions we need for a more flexible approach to designing high-performing buildings'.

Swire Properties

Swire Properties' 'demonstration of global leadership', stood out for the judges, who commended the company's work with academics on the exploration of embodied and whole-life carbon metrics. This dedication to research demonstrated rigour across the company's business offerings, said the judges.

In addition, judges were impressed by Swire Properties' commitment to sustainability as evidenced by its involvement in a range of global standards and benchmarks.

Established in Hong Kong in 1972, Swire Properties has grown into a global leader in sustainable real estate, with properties spanning Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Its portfolio includes commercial, retail, hotel, and residential properties with a strong emphasis on mixed-use developments totaling 24.4 million sq ft.

Swire Properties' vision is to be the leading sustainable development performer in its industry globally by 2030.

In 2021, it became the first real estate developer in Hong Kong (HK) and Chinese Mainland to set 1.5°C-aligned Science Based Targets, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.

By 2023, the company had achieved notable milestones: a 29% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 40% decrease in Scope 3 carbon intensity for leased assets, surpassing its 2025 targets and advancing towards net zero.

Swire Properties also leads the industry in embodied carbon reduction. Collaborative studies with National University of Singapore and Tsinghua University informed the development of low carbon procurement standards and life-cycle carbon analysis tolls, reducing embodied carbon intensity by 17% at key projects such as Two Taikoo Place.

The company's leadership contributing to frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD_, HK Green Building Council's Zero Carbon Ready Building Certification, and Science Based Target's Initiative's Corporate Net Zero Standard.

Across the category, the judges saw that 'good leadership tended to focus on influencing and leading the wider sector rather than internal teams', and was evidenced and qualified through impacts and evaluation. They added that 'clarity on benchmarking leadership improvements is key, with evidence of achievements through impacts, metrics and evaluation'.

Highly commended: Andy Jackson, Head of Central London Operations & UK Engineering - Savills

Sponsor: CIBSE Patrons

The Pluvo Column - Pluvo

Judges called the Pluvo Column an innovative and thoughtfully designed solution to the real-life problem of air quality in transport hubs.

The cylindrical Pluvo is a 2.7 metre-tall air purifying system that doubles as an LED advertising display.

Designed for air pollution hotspots, the Pluvo Column filters up to 99.5% of targeted pollutants, at a high volume of 2,000 breaths (or 1m3 of air) every second, to create local clean air zones of 20-60m radius.

Airflow enters through the inlets at the bottom of the column and leaves via outlet grilles at the top, where the clean air is directed towards head height. A centrifugal fan at the top of the column is paired with a pressure and speed control to maintain a consistent air throughput (set at 1m3·s-1) across changing pressure drops.

A three-stage air filtration system eliminates harmful airborne particulate matter (PM – for example, soot), targeted gases (such as NOx and SOx), and viruses. The system design requires only a small, elliptical product footprint of 0.5m2 and has low power draw of less than 700 watts.

The award judges said the Pluvo Column entry was a ‘high-quality submission supported by robust research’.

The product is the result of five years’ research and development, culminating in a six-month trial near the highly polluted North Circular road in London. Results showed PM-reduction efficiencies of 97% and 69% (for PM10 and PM1 respectively) and average NO2 reduction of 23% at 13 metres distance.

Each Pluvo Column has its own remote air quality monitoring system and uses Internet of Things devices to ensure it is only turned on when pollution reaches a certain level, which helps minimise energy use.

Its ability to incorporate signage or advertisements, using curved LED lightboxes or digital panels, means its operation can be self-funded, making it a practical and scalable solution for many transport hubs.

Nature Connect - Signify

The judges praised Signify for its 'high-quality submission, with a clear and scientifically supported narrative'. Its NAture Connect product stood out, they said, for its role in 'addressing the critical need for enhanced lighting in spaces with limited natural daylight'.

Nature COnnect recreates the benefits of natural light indoors, transforming spaces into comfortable and visually engaging environments. The system is designed to mimic the appearance and effects of daylights, creating an immersive experience that enhances a sense of spaciousness.

Its flexible application makes it suitable for a range of environments, while its realistic and convincing replication of daylight offers the potential to improve user wellbeing significantly.

Nature Connect's dynamic Day Rhythm feature adjusts brightness and colour temperature throughout the day, aligning with natural circadian cycles.

Morning light tones provide an energising start to the day, while warmer evening tones signal a winding down, improving mood, productivity and sleep quality.

Unlike conventional lighting systems, Nature Connect focuses on biological and emotional benefits, reconnecting users with nature to promote health and happiness. It meets EN17037 daylight provision standards and Well requirements, particularly in the areas of circadian lighting design, glare control and visual comfort.

Sustainability is integral to the system; design, which uses material produced with renewable energy, minimising harmful substances and ensuring components are repairable or recyclable.

In real-world applications, NAture Connect has shown tangible results. In a study at the Edge West building in Amsterdam, meeting rooms without natural daylight equipped with Nature Connect experienced a significant increase in use compared with traditionally lit spaces.

Similarly, in IWG's co-working offices at Battersea Power Station, NAture Connect transformed windowless rooms into highly attractive, daylight-like environments.

The judges were pleased that, across the category, 'the proposed solutions are primarily targeting retrofits, which should be the focus of the construction industry'.

However, they highlighted that the focus was more on addressing problems that could have been prevented with better building design or regulations, rather than introducing innovations that would enhance overall wellbeing. 

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

The Entopia Building - Max Fordham, Architype & BDP

The judges described the whole life-building performance of Entopia as exceptional. Despite, what they called, an 'incredibly robust and challenging brief', the winning team had delivered an exemplary retrofit of a 1930s telephone exchange that had levels of performance comparable with a brand-new office building.

The Entopia retrofit shows that, with ingenuity and collaboration, it is possible to deliver healthy, high-performance buildings on a typical refurbishment budget.

‘It’s a great example for others to learn from,’ said the judges, who called the project a trailblazer for large commercial buildings moving to net zero. ‘A huge amount has gone into delivering this retrofit,’ they said.

The project team endeavoured to achieve high levels of user satisfaction and comfort, as well as outstanding measured building performance, and this was exemplified by achieving EnerPHit Classic, WELL Gold and BREEAM Outstanding standards.

Improving the thermal fabric performance for the five-storey office reduced the amount of plant required significantly and the fabric-first approach enabled the efficient control of internal conditions.

A highly efficient MVHR ventilation system maintains thermal comfort, while night-time purge ventilation helps minimise mechanical cooling. A reversible heat pump in the central air handling unit provides any necessary cooling and mitigates the risk of overheating in future climate scenarios.

The measured energy use intensity of 52kWh·m⁻² per year compares well with the 52kWh·m⁻² per year industry target for new build offices laid out by LETI and RIBA 2030 The project’s operational strategy includes a comprehensive handover strategy, commissioning and maintenance plan, supported by clear and understandable guidance for building users.

‘The submission demonstrated great collaboration and other aspects of good practice, including an early focus on commissioning and investigations into occupant comfort issues,’ said the judges.

This was borne out by the use of ongoing seasonal commissioning with input from across the supply chain. Occupant feedback has also been crucial, with the building management team collating and passing on information to the design and delivery team for review and action.

The design for Entopia included careful consideration of whole life carbon, including embodied carbon assessments and responsible material sourcing – 48% of materials specified were bio-based.

Wherever possible, materials on site were reused, such as carpet tiles in the entrance area and raised access-floor panels. Elsewhere, steel from a film studio was used for the photovoltaic rooftop canopy and 350 light fittings were repurposed from a London fit-out.

Use of reclaimed materials saved 21,000kg CO2e and the project’s approach to circular economy was awarded a BREEAM Innovation point.

The interior design strategy focused on occupant comfort and wellbeing: 25% of desks are sit-stand; there is a variety of breakout, open and private spaces; and biophilic design principles are integrated with the internal art and planting strategy.

The high number and overall quality of entries in this category impressed the judges this year.

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate, 13 units - SRE

The judges praised the winner as an outstanding example of how regeneration can benefit businesses and the environment. The deep retrofit of Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate not only achieved operational net zero, but also led to an impressive 220% increase in rental value.

The £10.6m refurbishment of 13 units was a mix of building fabric improvements and services upgrades, including the installation of heat pumps and battery storage.

Enhanced insulation was added to the party walls between the office and warehouse, to improve environmental control, user comfort and acoustic performance.

A sustainable sourcing policy focused on the reuse of materials – for example, stone masonry waste used in gabion walls and existing concrete floors repolished or screeded.

Following a services audit, all the gas space and water heating units, bar one, were replaced with air source heat pumps, point-of-use water heaters and panel heaters.

Tesla Powerwall batteries store surplus energy from solar photovoltaics, enabling the development to be net zero during operation.

As a result of responsible sourcing, upfront carbon emissions were only 281 kgCO₂ m⁻² GIA. This compares very favourably with the limits in the pilot version of the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, which, for 2025, are 600 kgCO₂ m⁻² GIA for offices (whole building) and 310 kgCO₂ m⁻² GIA for storage and distribution facilities.

The project has a two-year soft landings period to manage integration of new installations and ensure seamless operation for new and existing tenants. All units have live energy monitoring, and a live app reports faults in all services and metering equipment.

Post-occupancy evaluation features occupancy surveys, operational performance testing, facilities management feedback and dissemination of the findings.

To prioritise the health and wellbeing of occupants, an indoor air quality plan was developed during the early design phase to address potential risks.

The building incorporates top- and side-hung windows with 100% opening capacity, enabling effective purge ventilation and ensuring summer comfort. This design eliminates the need for mechanical cooling, as confirmed by the thermal comfort model.

Glazing in mezzanine office spaces and twin-skinned polycarbonate roof lighting also provide occupants with good daylighting.

The refurbishment means the development is in high demand. Previously, the site was partially unoccupied and 33% below the average rental value for Guildford. Now, rental value is 220% greater and there is a waiting list for tenants.

Highly commended: Aldar Energy Retrofit Project - grfn