The Electrical Review editorial team last week attended the Cibse Building Performance Awards 2013. Cibse, (the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) received its Royal Charter in 1976. It is the professional body that exists to: “support the Science, Art and Practice of building services engineering, by providing our members and the public with first class information and education services and promoting the spirit of fellowship which guides our work.”
Hosted by Gyles Brandreth, the awards recognised building performance excellence in 12 categories plus an overall winner. Winners included British Land, Max Fordham, Atkins and London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event was attended by over 700 building services professionals.
Speaking at the awards, Cibse president, David Fisk, said: “Since our buildings use nearly half our energy, this should be a matter of national priority. The projects and products showcased tonight show us what can be achieved and raise the bar of best practice for all of us in the built environment.”
The overall Carbon Champion of the Year award was won by British Land. Since 2009, British Land has achieved energy cost savings for its occupiers of £1.6m – around half of this through more rigorous management, made possible by the extensive sub-metering system and optimisation process piloted at its head office and subsequently rolled out elsewhere.
British Land also works with office occupiers to support their own energy reduction initiatives through green building management groups in each property. It is also funding ongoing energy monitoring services for around 20 office occupiers, providing half hourly data to give visibility on out-of-hours lighting use and small power demand in occupiers’ premises.
The judges said: “British Land are recognised as Carbon Champion of the Year for their outstanding example of continuous improvements in energy and carbon performance in their portfolio. They are an excellent example of how good building performance supports good commercial performance.”
Full details of all the Cibse winners can be found here.
