A new focus on renovation and renewal emerged at the CIBSE 2020 Building Performance Awards: dramatic building performance achievements in existing and re-modelled buildings were celebrated, alongside ground-breaking new build projects and industry-leading teams.
The Engine Shed, at the heart of Scotland’s new Building Conservation Centre, was named Building Performance Champion for 2020. Transforming redundant Ministry of Defence buildings, this glorious project, entered by engineering firm Max Fordham, also won the Public Use project category.
The new Retrofit category was won by the Bartlett School of Architecture building, 22 Gordon Street. Entered by BuroHappold this project demonstrates the potential for huge improvement in existing buildings.
Judges praised the Max Fordham team for the attention to detail in all aspects of the design: energy efficiency was one consideration, but so was a focus on materials. Re-cycled, re-used and locally-sourced materials were first choice to minimise waste and the plan even considered the impact of the eventual deconstruction of the building.
Natural ventilation and daylight were prioritised in the design. A detailed post-evaluation study demonstrated excellent energy performance in practice, and also monitored the wellbeing of the people working in the facility. Results during the very hot summer in 2018 were particularly impressive as occupants remained comfortable as outside temperatures soared.
In its design work on the refurbished 1970s building housing the Bartlett School of Architecture, BuroHappold Engineering demonstrated just how much can be achieved in existing buildings. Pre and post occupancy evaluation of the building showed an impressive 60% reduction in energy use per m2 while the useable floor area of the building was simultaneously increased by 40%.
Overall, the building’s Display Energy Certificate rating was improved from G to D. Detailed monitoring of the building not only measured energy consumption but also focused on the experience of the building occupants. High levels of satisfaction were reported, and this ongoing monitoring also allows for identification of areas for potential improvement which can then be actioned.
Hywel Davies, Technical Director of organisers the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, observed: “Our engineers have always been able to demonstrate how to design new buildings that deliver first-class performance; it is vital to see how existing buildings, which are far more numerous, can be refurbished to perform to the highest standards.”
The creative approach of Noel Lawler Green Energy Solutions was recognised in the Small Consultancy category where it impressed with a range of imaginative solutions including using waste from hen houses to produce both electricity and warmth for the facilities.
The Collaboration category presented an effective and practical process to minimise the performance gap in school buildings, involving the main contractor, building performance analysis consultant and BMS controls subcontractor working together. The award was presented to Bowmer + Kirkland / Integrated Environmental Services.
Other winners included the Institute of Physics headquarters entered by AECOM, and Elementa Consulting and BuroHappold Engineering in the consultancy categories. The Victoria-based HVAC Centre of Excellence – established to address the chronic shortage of building services professionals in Australia – won the Learning and Development category.
The full list of winners at the 2020 CIBSE Building Performance Awards, presented on 11 February 2020 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, can be found here - www.cibse.org
