The Society of Digital Engineering Awards look to recognise anyone who works in the built environment who is contributing to the digitalisation of what we do, where we live and how we experience it.
Celebrating Excellence: The CIBSE Society of Digital Engineering Awards 2025
On 19th November 2025, the CIBSE Society of Digital Engineering proudly hosted its first stand-alone awards ceremony at the iconic NLA – The London Centre. This milestone event marked a new chapter for the awards, bringing together innovators, thought leaders, and digital pioneers from across the globe including guests who flew in from Hong Kong to celebrate outstanding achievements in digital engineering.
The evening was a resounding success, thanks to the incredible support of our headline sponsors: BDP (Building Design Partnership Ltd), DiRoots, GRAITEC UK, Autodesk, and Symetri Europe.
We also extend heartfelt gratitude to our judges May Winfield, David Shepherd, Marzia Bolpagni, Alex Small, David Philp, Allister Lewis, and Tom Gould for their time and expertise in reviewing an exceptional pool of entries. The decisions were tough, reflecting the high calibre of innovation across the industry.
Thank you to Hywel Davies for delivering an insightful keynote speech to open the ceremony. He highlighted the critical importance of Digital Engineering in shaping the future of our industry. Hywel’s pivotal role in responding to the Grenfell Tower tragedy and his leadership as Chair of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee has been instrumental in establishing the new safety regime under the Building Safety Act. He reminded us all of our shared responsibility in driving these changes forward and ensuring a safer built environment for everyone.
Award Winners and Highlights
Best Consultancy
Winner: Buro Happold
Buro Happold’s digital transformation reflects its commitment to innovation and excellence through the “Digitise to Humanise” approach. The company equips engineers with intuitive tools and targeted training, fostering collaboration and well-being. Investments in user-friendly solutions like BHoM for Revit enhance efficiency and creativity, while the open-source BHoM platform standardises data and streamlines workflows. Through its Regional Automation Leads network, Buro Happold combines digital capability with local insight to deliver human-centred, connected solutions.
“Impressive work being carried out here and they should be commended for it. It’s a very human or employee-centric approach to adoption of digitalisation where the user of the product appears to be put first both in the selection of tools and in the support and collaboration offered. Great work.”“ A great example of overcoming challenges by combining global ambition with local empowerment, using automation, open-source tools, and upskilling to turn complexity into streamlined, collaborative, and innovative project delivery.”
Best Software Developer
Winner: Symetri Europe – Naviate
Symetri impressed the judges with Naviate - a Revit and cloud-integrated ecosystem that transforms project delivery for AEC firms. With modules for Architecture, Structure, MEP, and Fabrication, plus cloud tools like Naviate Nebula and Cloud Manager, and sustainability-focused Naviate Zero, it drives efficiency and environmental responsibility. Trusted globally, Naviate reduces errors, improves model quality, and enables teams to focus on design and innovation over manual tasks.
"Symetri stood out for delivering scalable, user-friendly, and future-ready tools. Their iterative approach drives rapid innovation, while usage tracking and community engagement ensure solutions meet real-world needs. Naviate’s seamless integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud further strengthens collaboration and resilience for global teams."
Up and Coming Digital Champion
Winner: Athiya Junaid
Unfortunately, Athiya couldn’t attend the event as she is based in Abu Dhabi. However, CIBSE AUE will be presenting the trophy to her soon. We’re delighted to see so many overseas nominations and winners this year, highlighting our growing global recognition.
As a Graduate Project Manager at WSP Middle East, Athiya has championed data-driven methodologies, using Power BI dashboards to translate complex datasets into actionable insights. Her work exemplifies how digital tools can bridge gaps between technical experts and decision-makers, embedding sustainability and performance at the heart of project delivery.
"Athiya has driven significant progress in digitalising the built environment. Her research applied IES-VE simulations and CFD modelling to assess climate-resilient architecture in the Middle East, integrating passive cooling strategies for current and future conditions."
Best Project and Collaboration
Winner: Savills
Carbon Pioneer is a digital workflow that accelerates Net Zero Carbon strategy development. By replacing slow, fragmented modelling with an automated process, it delivers results in minutes. Using parametric modelling and a database of over two million pre-simulated scenarios, it provides accurate NZC pathways for assets and portfolios. Outputs include decarbonisation roadmaps, dashboards, and costed interventions, enabling rapid, informed decisions at scale.
“This Carbon Pioneer demonstrates technical excellence, scalability, and investor-focused outcomes.”“A benchmark digital tool for the sustainability sector - transformational speed and reliability with clear evidence of adoption and industry impact.”
Best Use of Technology in the Built Environment
Winner: Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), HKSAR Government
Engentica, developed by EMSD, is an AI platform streamlining building operations and maintenance. Deployed in five government buildings, it automates workflows through two modules - DOMS and Agentic AI - using semantic modeling and large language models. Integrated with existing systems, it achieves 40% faster fault resolution, 30% less admin work, and up to 10% energy savings, setting a new standard for smart, sustainable infrastructure.
“A highly impressive set of AI and LLM tools and platforms that have been adopted in a way that clearly saves time, money, and resources, as well as reduces error and streamlines actions. An excellent deployment of 2025 technology for a very practical application.”“Outstanding integration of advanced AI within O&M; sets a benchmark for government-led digital transformation.
Best Contractor
Winner: Crown House Technologies
Crown House Technologies impressed with STRATUS, a digital solution that cuts a £1.5m annual spend on physical drawings, eliminates printing, and digitises the factory floor. Using STRATUS, the company manufactures directly from data-rich 3D models, eliminating physical drawings, reducing rework, and improving efficiency. This transformation streamlines operations, supports automation, and reinforces CHt’s leadership in sustainable, advanced manufacturing.
"STRATUS has transformed CHt’s manufacturing process far beyond its original goal of reducing paper and costs. By digitising the factory floor, eliminating inefficiencies, and enabling real-time data access, it delivers speed, accuracy, and sustainability - setting a new benchmark for advanced manufacturing."
Best Product Manufacturer
Winner: Legrand UK & Ireland
Legrand UK & Ireland drives digital innovation in the built environment through smart infrastructure, IoT-enabled products, and integrated digital workflows. From intelligent building management to sustainable data centre solutions, Legrand creates smarter, safer, and more efficient spaces. By embedding digitalisation across design, operations, and strategy, it transforms how buildings are conceived and managed, delivering measurable gains in energy efficiency, performance, and user experience.
"Legrand stood out for its digital innovation, embedding advanced tracking and data systems into manufacturing. From module and spool tracking to digitised weld mapping and real-time BOM dashboards, their approach improves efficiency, transparency, and sets a benchmark for accountability in the industry."
Digital Change Maker
Unlike other categories, the winner is chosen by the public, reflecting industry-wide recognition and support. With over 400 votes cast to all shortlisted, this award highlights someone who champions innovation, inspires change, and empowers others to embrace digital tools and workflows.
Winner: Janine Conway
"Janine didn’t just champion digital adoption - she transformed it into a global movement. By growing a single role into a network of 20+ Regional Automation Leads, she proved that innovation thrives when people come first. Her frameworks, feedback loops, and accessible resources made adoption measurable, transparent, and inclusive, bridging developers and engineers and creating a culture of collaboration across regions."
Digital Champion (Highest Scoring Winner)
This award recognises the organisation or individual that achieved the highest overall score across all judging criteria and categories during the SDE Awards. It represents the best of the best, showcasing exceptional innovation, impact, and leadership in advancing digital engineering. Winning this title means setting a benchmark for excellence and driving transformative change in the built environment.
Winner: Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), HKSAR Government
"Recognised for their groundbreaking integration of AI and LLM technologies in operations and maintenance, EMSD set a new standard for government-led digital transformation."
A Night to Remember
The 2025 SDE Awards showcased the power of collaboration, innovation, and digital transformation in shaping the future of the built environment. From AI-driven operations to climate-resilient design and agile software development, this year’s winners set new benchmarks for excellence.
A huge thank you to all sponsors, guests, nominees, and judges for making this event possible. Here’s to continuing the journey of digital innovation - see you at next year’s awards!
Digital Champion
The judges will choose the 2025 Digital Champion selected the winners of the individual categories below. This will be the entry that best exemplifies the aims of the SDE and whose contribution deserves special recognition.
People
Celebrating and recognising excellence in the people involved in digitalising our built environment
Do you know an emerging talent who’s already making a mark on the digital future of the built environment?
The up and coming digital champion shines a spotlight on individuals in the first five years of their career who are going above and beyond to drive digital transformation in our industry. We’re looking for passionate professionals whose early contributions already set them apart as future leaders.
Whether it’s through:
- Delivering innovative digital solutions that improve how we work and build
- Navigating and overcoming challenges to make a meaningful impact
- Inspiring others by championing new ideas and approaches
Shortlist:
Elisabeth Eweka
Sejal Shinde
Anjali Gokal
Athiya Junaid
Do you know someone who’s redefining the digital future of the built environment?
The Digital Change Maker Award celebrates individuals who are leading the charge in digital transformation across our industry. We’re looking for digital champions who have made a real, measurable impact over the past year -those whose work in digital innovation sets them apart from their peers and inspires the wider community.
Whether it’s through:
- Developing groundbreaking digital tools or technologies
- Implementing innovative digital processes that drive efficiency and sustainability
- Creating outstanding career opportunities for others in the digital space
This award recognises those who are not just keeping up with change, but driving it.
Once nominations close, we’ll shortlist the top Digital Change Makers, and then it’s over to you, the public, to vote for the winner. The finalist with the most votes will be crowned on the night of the awards.
Shortlist:
Janine Conway
Anthony Tuffour
Mairead Gallagher Morgan
Elisabeth Eweka
Organisations
Celebrating and recognising excellence in the organisations of any size whose work contributes to the digitalisation of our built environment leading to better outcomes for those within it.
Do you know a consultancy that’s redefining how digital transformation is delivered across the built environment?
The best consultancy award celebrates organisations of any size that are leading the way in digital innovation. We’re looking for consultancies whose commitment to digitisation is driving real change - whether through pioneering technologies, smarter workflows, or creating outstanding career opportunities in the digital space.
We want to hear about the benefits gained from adopting digital workflows and processes.
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What challenges have been overcome?
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What types of roles and organisations have been involved?
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And how does your consultancy measure success in its digital journey?
Depending on the entries, this category may be split into size-based awards to ensure fair recognition across the sector.
Shortlist:
Buro Happold
Sidara - Global Infrastructure
TEECOM
Ramboll UK
Do you know a software developer that’s powering the digital transformation of the built environment?
The best software developer award celebrates organisations that are creating the tools and technologies driving progress across our industry. Whether large or small, we’re recognising developers whose products, platforms, and processes are enabling smarter, more connected ways of working.
Whether it’s through:
- Applying innovative digital processes, workflows, or tools
- Driving efficiency, sustainability, or inclusivity through technology
- Creating a model for future projects to follow
We want to hear about the digital tools and approaches that made a difference. What benefits were realised? What challenges were faced and overcome? And how was success measured - whether in time, cost, resources, or societal impact?
Shortlist:
Kinship
DiRoots
Morta
Symetri - Naviate
Do you know a contractor that’s driving digital transformation on the ground and across the built environment?
The best contractor award recognises organisations whose commitment to digital innovation is making a real impact. We’re celebrating contractors who are embracing technology to improve how we build, collaborate, and grow.
We want to hear about the benefits your organisation has gained from adopting digital workflows and processes.
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What challenges have you faced in deploying them?
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What roles and teams have been involved?
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And how do you measure success in your digital journey?
This award honours contractors who are not just responding to change - they’re leading it.
Depending on the entries, this category may be split into size-based awards to ensure fair recognition across the sector.
Shortlist:
Do you know a product manufacturer that’s driving digital innovation in the built environment?
The best product manufacturer award celebrates organisations whose physical products are helping to advance the digitalisation of our industry. Whether large or small, we’re recognising manufacturers who are integrating technology into their products, processes, and people strategies to deliver smarter, more sustainable outcomes.
We want to hear about the benefits your organisation has gained from adopting digital workflows and processes.
- What challenges have you faced in deploying them?
- What roles and teams have been involved?
- And how do you measure success - whether in time, cost, resources, or societal impact?
Depending on the entries, this category may be split into size-based awards to ensure fair recognition across the sector.
Shortlist:
Processes
Celebrating and recognising the projects, processes and collaborations whose use of digital technologies demonstrate the passion, innovation and excellence within our industry to continue to digitalise our built environment to the betterment of the communities that it serves.
Do you know a project or partnership that’s setting new standards in digital innovation across the built environment?
The best project or collaboration award celebrates initiatives that have harnessed digital technologies to deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities they serve. Whether it’s a single project or a multi-organisation collaboration, we’re looking for efforts that demonstrate the power of digital transformation in action.
Whether it’s through:
- Applying innovative digital processes, workflows, or tools
- Driving efficiency, sustainability, or inclusivity through technology
- Creating a model for future projects to follow
We want to hear about the digital tools and approaches that made a difference. What benefits were realised? What challenges were faced and overcome? And how was success measured - whether in time, cost, resources, or societal impact?
Shortlist:
Savills
Buro Happold
Ramboll
Energy Systems Catapult
Do you know a standout example of digital technology transforming the built environment for the better?
The best use of technology in the built environment award celebrates the most impactful, creative, and effective applications of digital innovation across our sector. Whether it’s a breakthrough solution, a clever reimagining of existing tools, or a process improvement that delivers exceptional results, we’re recognising those who are pushing boundaries and delivering real value to society.
We want to hear what issue or challenge the technology addressed:
- Who it was designed for, and how it works in practice.
- What were the benefits - whether in time, cost, resources, or societal impact?
- And what lessons were learned along the way?
Shortlist:
TEECOM
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), The Government of the HKSAR
Legrand Electric Ltd
Crownhouse Technology - CHt