BUILDING PERFORMANCE AWARDS | SHORTLISTS The finalists for the 2023 Building Performance Awards have been announced, with 14 high-calibre shortlists selected last month. Alex Smith sat in on judging day THROUGH TO THE FINAL T he record number of entries for the 2023 Building Performance Awards gave this years judges an unenviable task identifying the best in class across 15 award categories. (see page 26 for the full list of finalists). Bearing in mind the entries were for projects and initiatives that took place during the period of Covid from 2020-21, the number of submissions was particularly impressive. Expert judges from across the building services sector were led by chair of the judges Dr Hywel Davies. With the passing of the Building Safety Act this year, CIBSE was keen that entrants should explain how they were going to ensure projects, products and processes meet the requirements of the act. The award for Building Performance Consultancy of the Year was split into three categories to represent the difference in scale of companies operating in the industry. In the Building Performance Consultancy of the Year category for firms with up to 50 employees, the judges saw an incredible focus on net zero carbon and were very impressed by actions to reduce carbon in firms own operations. They noted extremely good progress on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by shortlisted firms. However, some responses suggested that consultants offers of post-occupancy evaluations and assistance with commissioning are not always taken up by clients. The judges thought consultants might push clients harder in this direction to ensure good performance in operation. In the category for companies with 51-300 employees, the judges found that entries were comprehensively completed and they were impressed by how questions around EDI were considerably more robust than previous years entries. They were keen to highlight the high proportion of projects that had completed post-occupancy evaluation, and praised the commitment to a wide range of knowledge-sharing initiatives, both internal and external. Judges for the over-300 employee category also saw clear evidence that EDI had risen significantly up the agenda. Shortlisted companies were also showing industry leadership qualities and helping define future policy and best practice, They talk the talk and walk the walk by demonstrating evidence of improvements to buildings they occupy, the judges said. There was a diverse range of entries in the Project of the Year category, which has been split into two awards, for non-domestic and GEYSER SKY Reversible heat pump with natural refrigerant Ideal for boiler replacement High comfort thanks to the variable speed technology Propane (R290), future proof refrigerant No Ozone layer impact & close to zero global warming potential Meets the highest seasonal efficiency standard Visit: www.swegon.com/uk to find out more 24 December 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Dec 22 pp24-25 Awards shortlist.indd 24 25/11/2022 15:57