CIBSE AWARDS | SHORTLIST RISING TO THE CHALLENGE Covid-19 brought many challenges to the industry in 2020, but judging by the quality of the shortlist for the CIBSE 2021 Building Performance Awards, companies have still been able to focus on designing and operating highperforming buildings that will help governments meet stringent carbonreduction targets. Alex Smith reports from the virtual judging session T his has been a year like no other but, despite the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been another impressive number of entries for the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2021. Last month, industry judges gathered (virtually) to determine which entries would make the shortlist of building services most prestigious awards. The day-long judging resulted in a set of strong shortlists that reflect the diversity of the industry by sector and region (see page 18-19 for shortlists). It was no surprise to see entries with increased focus on health, safety and wellbeing and, particularly, ventilation. In the Product or Innovation of the Year Wellbeing category, judges said there was a trend towards air-quality improvements. To mark the industrys contribution to minimising the impact of the virus on people and buildings, there will be a CIBSE Covid-19 Achievement Award at the 2021 virtual ceremony, which will be held on 25 February. Judges noted a more holistic approach in the entries with the comfort and health of occupants being considered alongside the energy efficiency of buildings. They were also pleased to see a focus on reducing embodied energy and the carbon produced during a buildings operation. The big engineering beasts leading the charge with the most shortlisted entries are: BuroHappold, with seven; Aecom, with five; and Hoare Lea and Arup, with four apiece. In the Building Performance Consultancy of the Year (over 300 employees) judges said that shortlisted companies were now focusing on true building performance and net-zero carbon, and were using in-house tools and big data to achieve these goals. There was also a welcome focus on knowledge sharing and holistic building design, they said. The net-zero carbon agenda was prevalent in the Building Performance Consultancy of the Year (51-300 employees). It was, judges said, being embraced by consultants, who were taking leadership in the area, even if it wasnt part of a clients initial brief. There were very strong submissions across all categories, substantial focus on client collaboration, embracing of net-zero carbon, and a substantial focus on sustainable technologies. Consultants are embracing the net-zero carbon agenda, even if it isnt part of a clients initial brief 16 December 2020 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Dec21 pp16-17 Awards shortlist.indd 16 20/11/2020 17:34