CIBSE ‘Building Performance Reimagined – What’s Next?’ conference explores the future of building performance with practical strategies, innovation and policy insight

CIBSE’s recent conference, ‘Building Performance Reimagined – What’s Next?’, brought together senior engineers, architects, innovators and policymakers at the Royal Society in London to explore the evolving challenges and opportunities within building performance.

Aligned with 2024–25 CIBSE President Fiona Cousins’ theme, the event focused on practical strategies to enhance sustainability, efficiency and occupant wellbeing across the built environment. Drawing on insights from recent CIBSE reports, the conference centred on four key areas: thermal comfort, energy saving, data measurement and retrofit.

A strong emphasis was placed on real-world application. Case studies throughout the day showcased emerging performance metrics, innovative technological solutions, and successful retrofitting projects. This focus on actionable examples also highlighted opportunities for industry partners to contribute their own case studies as part of future sponsorship packages.

Exploring fabric, research, policy and people-first approaches

The conference featured three well-attended sessions, each addressing a different dimension of building performance.

Session one: Fabric first

Chaired by Sasha Krstanovic, Founder and Design Lead at mstep and CIBSE Trustee, the session examined the growing importance of decarbonisation and climate resilience. Speakers Kathryn Dapre (CALA), Tom Smith, and Ola Bialas (Hoare Lea) discussed the challenges of reducing emissions and mitigating overheating risks, offering attendees clear examples of best practice in the housebuilding sector.

Session two: Research, policy and future planning

Led by Sam Baptist, CIBSE Head of Government Affairs, this session explored how research and policy can inform more sustainable and resilient buildings. Presenters Becci Taylor (Arup), Lewis Turner, Dipo Lafinhan, and Andrew Wholley addressed topics including affordability within planetary boundaries, sharing forward-looking insights into delivering homes that are both environmentally responsible and economically viable.

Session three: People first

The final session focused on the central role of occupants in determining building performance. Speakers Tom Randall, Jon Belfield, and Vic Tink (InTandem Systems) presented practical case studies and strategies that put people at the heart of building design, operation and performance assessment.

Driving progress across the built environment

‘Building Performance Reimagined – What’s Next?’ brought together thought leaders, practitioners and stakeholders for a day of knowledge-sharing, discussion and collaboration. The conference reinforced CIBSE’s ongoing commitment to advancing high-quality building performance and addressing the urgent sustainability, efficiency and wellbeing challenges facing the industry.

By presenting practical examples, highlighting emerging innovations and facilitating cross-sector dialogue, the event has set a benchmark for future CIBSE conferences—supporting continued progress and inspiring action across the built environment.