Editorial Alex Smith, Editor email: asmith@cibsejournal.com twitter: @alexsmith68 Engineers understand the science that underpins complex modern building design The rebel yells R ave engineers been collectively hiding their light under a bushel? Influential architect Ken Shuttleworth thinks so. He launched a broadside at his own profession during the CIBSE Building Performance Awards last month, claiming that starchitects with dazzling shirts and big watches have been taking all the credit for brilliantly engineered buildings. Referring to himself as a rebel architect, Shuttleworth said it was time for engineers to stand up to those who had been kings of the castle for far too long. Shuttleworths speech delighted the guests at the awards, and set the tone for a celebration of the best in building services talent. Engineers often dont have the time or inclination to beat their own drum. They are too busy trying to save the earths resources by solving technical conundrums often of the architects making. Engineers should have more influence over the design process because they understand the science that underpins complex modern building design. No matter how aesthetically pleasing the construction, its design has failed unless its heating and cooling efficiently, and providing comfort for the occupants. One area in which engineers do need to make their voices heard is health, wellbeing and productivity. Recent reports, and a new wellbeing certification scheme, have put the topic in the spotlight. Rating buildings according to their productivity would be attractive to clients keen to differentiate properties in a crowded market, but any measurement criteria must have sound, scientific evidence to back it up. A lot of research has already been done on factors affecting thermal comfort, by people such as Adrian Leaman and Bill Bordass. However, they warn that the killer variables affecting productivity and health often lie outside existing areas of research, and are too complex to be summed up in a single metric. Our roundtable debated the pros and cons of certification, and concluded that the biggest issue was a lack of feedback from managers and occupants to designers. Soft Landings are part of the solution, and it is encouraging to see CIBSE ANZ and BSRIA working together to integrate them into Australasias successful NABERS display energy certificate (DEC) scheme. It is a shame that we have to go to the other side of the world for encouraging news on DECs. Dispiritingly, the UK government is proposing to take them out of some buildings, in a woeful attempt to woo eurosceptic voters. "