The Society of Façade Engineering (SFE) hosted the 2025 Façade Design and Engineering Awards on 5 November at Old Billingsgate, London, recognising outstanding achievement and innovation in the field of façade engineering and highlighting the vital role façades play in sustainable, safe and visually striking buildings.
The awards were co-located with the Zak World of Facades London conference, drawing close to 1,000 professionals from across the globe. Attendees enjoyed a high-profile awards dinner following the conference, where winners were celebrated by industry leaders and peers. Previous award recipients have included notable projects such as Google Bay View in California, Battersea Power Station and Bloomberg HQ in London, and the Morpheus Hotel in Macau.
The 2025 awards recognised achievements across a range of categories:
Project of the Year – Sustainability (UK)
Winner: Wintech for Eden, A3 New Bailey
Highly Commended: WSP for 3 Sheldon Square
Project of the Year – Sustainability (International)
Winner: Lüchinger Meyer Partner for Façade Restoration
Project of the Year – Refurbishment (UK)
Winner: Buro Happold for The Whiteley
Project of the Year – Refurbishment (International)
Winner: Arup for the Museum of Anthropology
Project of the Year – New Build (UK)
Winner: FMDC Ltd for Cadence, Kings Cross
Project of the Year – New Build (International)
Winner: Maffeis Engineering SpA for Zardini
Project of the Year – Special Structures
Winner: seele (S) PTE
Project of the Year – Innovation (UK)
Winner: Buro Happold for Salder's Wells East
Project of the Year – Innovation (International)
Winner: Eckersley O’Callaghan for Banquet Hall, The Henderson
Highly Commended: Buro Happold for Heke Rua National Archives
Best Digital Innovation of the Year
Winner: Ramboll UK Limited for FAME (Façade Access & Maintenance Engine)
Product of the Year
Winner: Zurich Soft Robotics for Solskin
Dissertation of the Year
Winner: Jacob Wotton for The Impact of the Building Safety Act on Suppliers and Manufacturers in the UK
Young Façade Engineer of the Year
Winner: Mitch Albarran, Arup
Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Simon Webster (posthumously), founding member of FMDC
Judges praised entries for their technical ambition, innovation, sustainability, and contribution to architectural excellence. Highlights included projects integrating biodiversity, occupant wellbeing, seismic performance upgrades, advanced modelling, and innovative materials.
The SFE Façade Design and Engineering Awards continue to celebrate the achievements of engineers and designers who push the boundaries of the built environment, setting benchmarks for the future of façade design globally.
