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Recognising outstanding achievements at CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2025

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The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London came alive on Thursday, 27 February 2025 for the prestigious CIBSE Building Performance Awards. This remarkable event celebrated the individuals, organisations, products and projects that set new benchmarks for sustainability, innovation and performance in the built environment. It was hosted by comedian Marcus Brigstocke.

With a total of 30 diverse categories this year, the BPAs highlighted the crucial contributions across disciplines that shape the future of the built environment. Key categories included Best Digital Innovation, Project of the Year, Product or Innovation of the Year and Building Performance Champion.

Among the evening’s many highlights, the Engineer of the Year award was presented to Volkan Doda, Head of Design Technologies at Atelier Ten. A designer of immense creativity and dedication, Volkan’s expertise in both theory and application exemplify the cutting edge of building performance. His commitment to fostering talent and delivering innovative, high-performance solutions has made him a valued leader in the field.

The title of Building Performance Champion and Project of the Year – Retrofit Workplaces went to The Entopia Building, an extraordinary collaboration between Max Fordham, Architype, and BDP. This transformational project in Cambridge turned a 1930s structure into an ultra-low-carbon sustainability hub, demonstrating groundbreaking application of circular economy principles. With Passivhaus EnerPHit certification and targeting multiple other sustainability accolades, The Entopia Building showcases the future of environmentally conscious design, achieving a staggering 84% reduction in whole-life carbon compared to standard retrofits.

The event showcased the remarkable breadth of talent and innovation in the industry. Among the highly commended entries were the Passive Cooling Double-skin Roof by Universidad de Sevilla in the Product or Innovation of the Year – Thermal Comfort category and the Aldar Energy Retrofit Project by grfn in Project of the Year – Portfolio Workplaces, highlighting a wealth of inspiring achievements. This year’s BPAs once again demonstrated CIBSE’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in the built environment. By showcasing outstanding achievements and raising the bar for industry standards, the Awards inspire the entire sector to strive for sustainable, efficient and people-centred solutions.

Full list of winners:

Building Performance Champion

Winner: The Entopia Building – Max Fordham, Architype & BDP

Best Digital Innovation – Organisational Strategy

Winner: Cyclops – Foster + Partners

Best Digital Innovation – Project Delivery

Winner: Sydney Airport International Terminal T1 Chilled Water Plant Optimisation – A.G. Coombs Group, Exergenics

Building Performance Consultancy (over 300 employees)

Winner: AtkinsRéalis

Sponsor: ABB

Building Performance Consultancy (up to 50 employees)

Winner: Cyclone Energy Group

Sponsor: Mitsubishi Electric

Building Performance Consultancy (51 – 300 employees)

Winner: XCO2

Sponsor: Airflow

CIBSE Embodied Carbon Award – Products and Systems: for Manufacturers and Suppliers

Winner: Apollo Fire Detectors

Sponsor: CIBSE Certification

CIBSE Embodied Carbon Award – Services and Projects for Consultants

Winner: Q Sustain

Sponsor: CMR

Client of the Year

Winner: London Borough of Islington

Collaboration

Winner: L&G’s Symphony Model – Legal & General, Demand Logic, Bellrock and Partners

Sponsor: CIBSE Lifecycle Carbon Assessment Training

Engineer of the Year

Winner: Volkan Doda, Head of Design Technologies – Atelier Ten

Sponsor: Ideal Heating Commercial

Facilities Management

Winner: 20 Fenchurch Street – Savills

Sponsor: Gratte Brothers Group

Leadership

Winner: Swire Properties

Learning and Development

Winner: The ZERO teaching and internship programme on zero-carbon energy buildings – ZERO Institute, University of Oxford

Sponsor: BCIA

Product or Innovation of the Year – Air Quality

Winner: The Pluvo Column – Pluvo

Sponsor: CIBSE Patrons

Product or Innovation of the Year – Thermal Comfort

Winner: Optimum Air Conditioning System – EcoTechX

Product or Innovation of the Year – Wellbeing

Winner: Nature Connect – Signify

Project of the Year – Residential

Winner: Agar Grove 1b – Max Fordham

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

Project of the Year – Retrofit Workplaces

Winner: The Entopia Building – Max Fordham, Architype & BDP

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

Project of the Year – New Build Workplaces

Winner: Globe Point, Temple – Hoare Lea

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

Project of the Year – Portfolio Workplaces

Winner: Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate,13 units – SRE

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

Full list of highly commended:

Best Digital Innovation – Project Delivery

Highly Commended: Paper Trails to Digital Triumphs – Savills

Building Performance Consultancy (over 300 employees)

Highly Commended: Buro Happold

Sponsor: ABB

Building Performance Consultancy (51 – 300 employees)

Highly Commended: Max Fordham

Sponsor: Airflow

CIBSE Embodied Carbon Award – Services and Projects: for Consultants

Highly Commended: AECOM

Sponsor: CMR

Leadership

Highly Commended: Andy Jackson, Head of Central London Operations & UK Engineering – Savills

Learning and Development

Highly Commended: Building Safety Act – Training and Assessment – Hoare Lea

Sponsor: BCIA

Product or Innovation of the Year – Thermal Comfort

Highly Commended: Passive Cooling Double-skin Roof – Universidad de Sevilla

Project of the Year – Residential

Highly Commended: Brambles – Bere Architects

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

Project of the Year – Portfolio Workplaces

Highly Commended: Aldar Energy Retrofit Project – grfn

Sponsor: Crane Fluid Systems

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Momentum Builds to Curb AI Development Amid Safety Concerns

Tech leaders advocate for slowing AI progress to mitigate risks and ensure safety.

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On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay titled “We Must Pace the Frontier”, calling on the AI industry to deliberately slow the development of its most advanced models. He proposed a three-part plan, starting with giving independent third-party evaluators “employee-like access” to developers’ internal work. Within hours, xAI owner Elon Musk posted “Dario is right,” and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he agreed the industry needed to “pace the frontier”, committing OpenAI to welcome independent evaluators. The rare alignment reflects a burgeoning movement within the technology community. The aim is to ensure that AI advancement does not outpace the necessary safety measures that must be in place to protect society. Musk, known for his outspoken concerns regarding AI, has been vocal about the potential existential threats posed by unchecked AI development. His stance is not without precedent. In past years, he has been an advocate for AI regulation, emphasizing the importance of establishing robust safety protocols. Sam Altman shares this concern. As a key figure in AI innovation, Altman’s support for decelerating AI progress highlights the industry’s internal awareness of its own vulnerabilities. Altman has been instrumental in shaping AI discussions, both as a developer and a policymaker. His involvement underscores a critical shift in perspective among those who once championed AI’s limitless potential.

Amodei’s essay warned that AI capabilities had been advancing drastically faster since the summer, and argued that buying even an extra year or two to work on alignment could greatly reduce the risk of something going seriously wrong. As CEO of Anthropic, Amodei’s insights into AI’s capabilities are profound. He has long advocated for responsible AI development, emphasizing research into AI safety and alignment. His company, Anthropic, is at the forefront of AI safety research, making his voice particularly influential. Amodei’s concerns are grounded in the belief that AI systems need to be designed with alignment and transparency as core principles. The consensus among these leaders is clear. The pace of AI development must be moderated to prevent potential societal disruptions. The public discourse around AI safety has evolved significantly over the past few years. Initially, concerns were often dismissed as speculative or alarmist. However, as AI systems become more integrated into daily life, their impact is undeniable. From autonomous vehicles to intelligent personal assistants, AI technologies influence countless aspects of modern existence. The rapid integration has outpaced regulatory frameworks, leaving gaps that could potentially be exploited.

This movement to slow AI development is gaining traction within the tech community. It reflects a deeper understanding of the potential risks and ethical considerations that come with advanced AI systems. Industry leaders are increasingly aware of their responsibility to mitigate these risks. There is a growing consensus that more comprehensive safety measures and regulatory oversight are necessary. The call for a slowdown is not a demand to halt innovation. Rather, it is a plea for a more deliberate approach to AI development. The goal is to establish a regulatory framework that prioritizes safety, ethical considerations, and long-term societal impact. This approach seeks to ensure that AI technologies are developed responsibly and with foresight. The motivation behind this push is multifaceted. At its core is the desire to prevent unintended consequences that could arise from unchecked AI advancement. These include potential job displacement, privacy concerns, and the risk of AI systems being used for malicious purposes. The tech industry is increasingly aware that the societal implications of AI are vast and complex. There is a recognition that addressing these challenges requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines.

The momentum to slow AI development also reflects a shift in how technology leaders view their role in society. There is a growing acknowledgment that technological innovation must be balanced with ethical responsibility. This recognition is driving the call for more stringent safety protocols and regulatory oversight. As the debate around AI continues, the voices advocating for caution are becoming more prominent. The movement is gaining momentum, supported by influential figures and organizations committed to ensuring that AI development proceeds safely and responsibly. The challenge now is translating this momentum into actionable policies and frameworks. Governments and regulatory bodies must work closely with industry leaders to develop comprehensive guidelines that address the unique challenges posed by AI. This collaboration is essential to fostering innovation while safeguarding societal interests. The path forward requires a collective effort to balance progress with prudence. As AI continues to evolve, the need for thoughtful and responsible development becomes increasingly critical. The calls to slow down AI development are a testament to the industry’s commitment to navigating this complex terrain with care.

The journey ahead is not without challenges. Implementing effective regulatory measures will require cooperation and consensus among diverse stakeholders. However, the growing momentum to address AI safety concerns offers hope for a future where technological advancement is aligned with societal well-being. As industry leaders and policymakers work together, there is potential to shape a future where AI technologies enhance, rather than disrupt, the fabric of society. The commitment to responsible AI development is key to ensuring that AI technologies are harnessed for the greater good. This forward-thinking approach will be crucial in defining the next chapter of AI innovation. The momentum to slow down AI development is more than a precautionary measure. It is a strategic decision to prioritize safety, ethics, and long-term impact. As the conversation around AI continues to evolve, the focus on responsible development will remain at the forefront. The future of AI depends on the choices made today. By embracing a more measured approach, the tech community can pave the way for a future where AI serves humanity’s best interests.

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Quantum Computing Breakthroughs: Disrupting Industries with Oxford’s Innovations

A recent breakthrough in quantum computing at the University of Oxford promises to disrupt multiple industries by significantly enhancing computational capabilities. Explore the technological implications and potential disruptions poised to redefine sectors.

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In May 2026, the University of Oxford announced a significant breakthrough in the field of quantum computing, unveiling an advanced error correction algorithm that has the potential to transform computational capabilities. This development is not just a scientific triumph; it heralds a new era of technological disruption across multiple industries. Quantum computing, long anticipated as the next frontier in technology, promises to solve complex problems beyond the reach of classical computers, and Oxford’s latest advancement brings this closer to reality.

At the core of this breakthrough is the enhancement in quantum error correction, a critical component that addresses the inherent instability of qubits, which are the fundamental units of quantum information. Traditional computers use bits of 0s and 1s, but quantum computers operate on qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This superposition allows quantum computers to process information exponentially faster than classical computers. However, qubits are notoriously prone to errors due to environmental noise and operational inaccuracies. Oxford’s new algorithm significantly improves the error correction process, maintaining qubit stability longer and allowing extended computational tasks to be performed accurately.

The implications of this are profound. Industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to finance stand on the cusp of disruption as quantum computing offers the ability to model complex molecular structures, optimize large-scale financial portfolios, and even revolutionize artificial intelligence algorithms. In pharmaceuticals, for example, quantum computing can expedite drug discovery by accurately simulating molecular interactions, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with bringing new drugs to market. Similarly, in finance, quantum algorithms can optimize trading strategies and risk management with a precision unattainable by current technologies.

Moreover, the ripple effects of such a leap in computational power extend to data encryption and cybersecurity. Quantum computers possess the potential to decrypt classical encryption methods, prompting a race for quantum-resistant cryptography. This necessitates a paradigm shift in how we secure digital information, affecting every sector that relies on data security.

Despite the tremendous promise, the transition to quantum computing is not without its challenges. The infrastructure required to support quantum technologies is expensive and complex. There is also a significant skills gap; experts in quantum computing are scarce, and training a new generation of scientists and engineers is imperative. Furthermore, ethical considerations regarding the power of quantum computing must be addressed, particularly in terms of privacy and security.

Looking forward, as quantum computing continues to evolve, industries will need to adapt swiftly to harness its capabilities. Early adopters who invest in quantum technologies and develop quantum-ready strategies will likely dominate in the coming decade. As Oxford’s breakthrough demonstrates, the race is on to fully realize the potential of quantum computing and redefine the boundaries of what is technologically possible.

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Apple’s AI Innovations: Shaping the Competitive Landscape in 2026

Apple’s latest advancements in artificial intelligence are setting the stage for a competitive showdown with other tech giants. This article explores how Apple’s AI strategy is positioning the company in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

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In the bustling realm of technology, few companies command as much attention as Apple. In 2026, the Silicon Valley titan has once again captured the tech world’s gaze with its latest advances in artificial intelligence. As Apple unveils a suite of AI-driven innovations, the competitive landscape is poised for a seismic shift.

Apple’s strategic focus on AI is not merely about introducing new features but is a calculated move to redefine user experiences while maintaining its staunch advocacy for privacy. At the heart of Apple’s AI initiatives is the promise of personalization—an AI that learns and adapts to the user’s preferences, offering seamless interaction across its range of devices. This focus is especially pertinent in an era where user data is a hot commodity, and privacy concerns are at an all-time high.

What sets Apple apart in the AI race is its dual emphasis on innovation and privacy. While competitors like Google and Amazon have long been heralded for their AI prowess, often prioritizing expansive data collection to fuel their AI engines, Apple has carved out a niche by leveraging on-device processing. This approach not only mitigates privacy risks but also enhances real-time responsiveness, a crucial factor in user satisfaction.

The competitive implications of Apple’s AI advancements are profound. Google’s AI, renowned for its search and recommendation algorithms, faces a formidable challenger in Apple’s ecosystem-centric approach. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Alexa, which dominates the smart assistant market, must contend with Apple’s Siri, now equipped with enhanced contextual understanding and predictive capabilities.

Microsoft, another major player, has been making strides with its integration of AI in cloud services and productivity tools. However, Apple’s holistic approach—integrating AI across hardware, software, and services—presents a cohesive strategy that is difficult to replicate. This integration not only ensures a seamless user experience but also reinforces brand loyalty, a cornerstone of Apple’s business model.

As AI continues to evolve, the stakes in the tech industry are higher than ever. Apple’s innovations are not just about keeping pace but are strategically designed to place the company at the forefront of the AI revolution. In doing so, Apple is not only safeguarding its market position but is also setting new benchmarks in how technology can enhance and secure our digital lives.

The road ahead will undoubtedly see further advancements and competition, but Apple’s current trajectory suggests it is well-positioned to lead in the AI domain. By prioritizing user-centric design and privacy, Apple is not just participating in the AI race; it is setting the pace.

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