CIBSE’s recent conference, Building Performance Reimagined – What’s Next?, brought together leading voices from across the building services and sustainability sectors
The event, part of Fiona Cousins’ 2024–25 presidential theme, provided a platform to explore practical solutions, share lessons learned and outline the next steps needed to address the evolving challenges of building performance in a rapidly changing world.
The conference was exceptionally well attended, attracting professionals, stakeholders and thought leaders eager to discuss key issues in building design, operation and sustainability.
Over four engaging sessions, attendees gained insights into fabric-first approaches, renewable energy integration, people-centred design and the interplay between research, policy and future planning.
Session One: Fabric first
Chaired by Sasha Krstanovic, founder and design lead at mstep and CIBSE trustee, the opening session focused on decarbonisation and climate resilience in the UK housebuilding sector.
Speakers Kathryn Dapre (CALA), Tom Smith and Ola Bialas (Hoare Lea), and Joel Callow (Beyond Carbon) explored strategies to tackle emissions, mitigate overheating and enhance building performance.
Kathryn Dapre’s presentation, Decarbonising the UK Housebuilding Sector – Challenges and Opportunities, emphasised practical steps for reducing the carbon footprint of new homes while maintaining quality and affordability.
Tom Smith and Ola Bialas discussed the UKGBC Climate Resilience Roadmap, highlighting the pressing issue of overheating and strategies for climate-adaptive design.
Joel Callow presented a Parametric Concept Design for Passivhaus Workflow, showcasing how data-driven design processes can streamline high-performance housing projects. This session offered attendees tangible examples of best practice and innovative solutions in fabric-first design.
Session Two: Renewable energy sources
The second session, chaired by Ellen Salazar, head of building services at CIBSE, explored the integration of renewable energy into building performance.
Speakers Quinten Babcock (Transport for London) and Richard Hipkiss shared insights from high-profile projects, including TfL’s Palestra Decarbonisation Journey.
The session demonstrated how large-scale infrastructure projects can implement energy-efficient solutions and highlighted the practical considerations for incorporating renewable technologies into both new builds and retrofits.
Attendees gained a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by renewable energy adoption in the built environment.
Session Three: People first
The People First session focused on the crucial role of occupant wellbeing in driving building performance.
Speakers Tom Randall, Jon Belfield and Vic Tink (InTandem Systems) presented case studies and strategies for placing people at the centre of building design, operation and assessment.
The session emphasised that high-performance buildings are not just about energy efficiency or technical specifications; they must also enhance the comfort, health and productivity of those who use them.
Practical takeaways included approaches to optimise indoor environments and integrate occupant feedback into operational strategies, reinforcing that people-first design is both achievable and measurable.
Session Four: Research, policy and future planning
The final session, chaired by Sam Baptist, head of government affairs at CIBSE, examined how research and policy can shape the future of the built environment.
Speakers Becci Taylor (Arup), Lewis Turner, Dipo Lafinhan and Andrew Wholley discussed innovative approaches to housing affordability and sustainability.
Becci Taylor’s presentation, Homes Don’t Cost the Earth – Affordability within Planetary Boundaries, highlighted strategies for creating homes that are both economically viable and environmentally responsible.
This session illustrated how combining robust research with thoughtful policymaking can inform effective planning and accelerate progress towards net zero and sustainable urban development.
A conference setting the benchmark
Building Performance Reimagined – What’s Next? successfully brought together a diverse group of professionals to share knowledge, discuss challenges and inspire actionable change across the sector. The event demonstrated CIBSE’s commitment to advancing high-quality building performance while addressing urgent sustainability, efficiency and wellbeing challenges.
By combining insights from practical case studies, research-driven analysis and innovative design strategies, the conference provided attendees with a roadmap to improving building performance across the built environment. The emphasis on collaboration, innovation and evidence-based solutions set a benchmark for future CIBSE events, ensuring the sector continues to learn, adapt and drive meaningful improvements.
CIBSE’s conference underlined that tackling the pressing challenges of climate change, energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing requires not only technical expertise but also leadership, foresight and a shared commitment across the industry.
With the insights and connections gained from this event, attendees are better equipped to influence the built environment for a sustainable, resilient and people-centred future.
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