Fit for 2050: Redesigning Spaces for Wellbeing, Inclusivity, and Sustainable Performance
The 2026 Symposium at Loughborough University (23 - 24 April) will bring together industry experts, thought leaders, policy makers and academia to explore the future of building services design with a focus on wellbeing, inclusivity, and sustainable performance. Home to one of the UK’s largest integrated schools for the built environment, Loughborough University brings together expertise in architecture, building, and civil engineering to address global challenges. Its world-class facilities and interdisciplinary research make it the ideal host for a symposium focused on advancing building services for health, wellbeing, and sustainability. We are also pleased to announce that the 2026 Symposium will be endorsed by ASHRAE.
This year we are inviting submissions on:
Designing healthy, inclusive, and active environments that support mental, physical, and emotional health.
Creating spaces that are accessible to all, addressing neurodiversity, sensory inclusion, and diverse user needs.
Exploring emerging technologies, innovative materials, and design approaches that enable low-carbon, energy-efficient cooling in response to global climate challenges.
Exploring how next-generation cooling solutions can be designed to respond to current and future climate challenges, enhancing resilience, occupant comfort, and operational efficiency.
Innovation in reducing embodied carbon and advancing circular design in building services.
Exchanging knowledge on how health and well-being standards can meet the unique environmental, social, and economic needs of diverse regions and communities.
Strategies for improving IAQ and sustaining momentum in ventilation and air quality
Approaches to energy-efficient heating solutions that support the transition to net zero.
Frameworks, tools, and models for cross-sector collaboration - between academia, industry, and government - in building design and delivery.
Using data and benchmarking to optimise building systems and improve long-term performance.
Leveraging artificial intelligence to optimise design, performance, and sustainability.
We also welcome submissions on other topics that are related to the overarching theme of the symposium 'Fit for 2050: Redesigning Spaces for Wellbeing, Inclusivity, and Sustainable Performance'.
We invite 250-word abstracts for the submission of research, opinion, and review papers, case studies, and poster presentations that are based on recent or current project work, research, or applications, as well as those that examine actual or potential impacts of our work in the built environment.
The call for abstracts for the 2026 CIBSE Technical Symposium is open until 16 June 2025.
Please use the online form to submit your 250-word abstract for your proposed research, opinion or review paper, case study or poster presentation.
If you have any further questions, please email [email protected]
Submission types include:
Papers represent original research, application (including full case studies) or development and should be between 3000 and 5000 words.
A slide-based report of a specific application (typically relating to the performance of a specific engineering or environmental system) that is likely to include both qualitative and quantitative investigation. If accepted, the final case study should include brief keynotes for the audience.
Posters provide the opportunity to summarise information of research, application or case study concisely and share your work and generate discussion. This will be presented in a dedicated session together with other posters for delegates to view. A poster can be accompanied by a written paper, and there are optional opportunities to provide a four-minute compendiary 'poster pitch' presentation (see below) to all delegates in a plenary session.
Accepted papers, reviews, case studies, and opinions will normally be delivered as part of a symposium session with a presentation of approximately 15 minutes (plus Q&A).
The compendiary 'Poster Pitch' is a limited availability option to present a four-minute fast-track highlights presentation with limited slides to a plenary session of all delegates. This is available to those who have been commissioned to provide a poster.
A paper that summarises the current state of understanding on a topic between 2000 and 5000 words. This is likely to include information that has been drawn from previously published studies.
This provides an opportunity to present a brief, justified opinion that should recognise contrary opinions or arguments and be supported with appropriate evidence and would be typically between 1000 and 3000 words.