Project

Recognises groundbreaking exterior envelope systems featuring innovative materials, technologies, or design approaches that advance façade performance.

Judges in this category will be seeking projects that demonstrate exceptional creativity, technical expertise, and forward-thinking solutions in building envelopes. The focus is on façades that enhance both the aesthetics and performance of tall buildings, pushing the boundaries of material, environmental, and structural innovation. Key areas of consideration include:

• Design innovation: Original architectural expression and creative approaches that redefine how façades contribute to the building’s identity and presence.
• Material and technological advancement: Use of new or enhanced materials, systems, or construction techniques that improve durability, energy efficiency, or functionality – including reducing risk of overheating.
• Environmental performance: Integration of sustainable strategies such as energy efficiency, thermal performance, solar control, and climate responsiveness.
• Technical excellence and constructability: Precision in engineering, detailing, and installation that ensures performance, safety, and long-term reliability.
• Contribution to user experience: How the façade impacts occupant comfort, natural light, views, and connection to the surrounding environment.
• Urban and contextual impact: Façades that enhance the building’s interaction with the city, streetscape, or skyline, balancing aesthetics with function.

Honours exceptional mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems demonstrating efficiency, sustainability, and innovative technical solutions.

Judges in this category will be looking for MEP systems that exemplify technical excellence, creativity, and forward-thinking design in tall buildings. The focus is on systems that enhance building performance, occupant comfort, and environmental responsibility while solving complex engineering challenges. Key areas of consideration include:

• Innovation and technical excellence: Use of cutting-edge technologies, systems, or approaches that improve efficiency, performance, or integration within the building – especially in areas of prefabrication and offsite manufacturing.
• Sustainability and energy efficiency: Solutions that reduce energy consumption, water usage, carbon footprint, or environmental impact, aligning with green building standards.
• Reliability and resilience: Robust system design ensuring safety, redundancy, and operational continuity under varying conditions.
• Integration and coordination: Seamless collaboration with architectural, structural, and façade teams to optimise performance, spatial planning, and functionality.
• User experience and comfort: Systems that enhance occupant wellbeing, including indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, and noise control.
• Long-term impact and adaptability: Designs that accommodate future technological advancements, changing operational requirements, and ease of maintenance.

Awards outstanding renovation or adaptive reuse projects that successfully modernise existing tall buildings while preserving value and reducing environmental impact.

Judges in this category will be looking for projects that demonstrate creativity, technical expertise, and sustainability in transforming existing tall buildings to meet modern standards and needs. The focus is on interventions that respect the building’s original character while enhancing functionality, efficiency, and long-term value. Key areas of consideration include:

• Design innovation and creativity: Thoughtful architectural and engineering solutions that modernise spaces while respecting the building’s heritage, context, or original design intent.
• Sustainability and environmental performance: Strategies that reduce energy consumption, carbon footprint, and waste during renovation, promoting environmentally responsible practices.
• Functionality and user experience: Upgrades that improve occupant comfort, accessibility, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Technical excellence: High-quality execution in structural, mechanical, electrical, and façade works, ensuring durability and performance.
• Value preservation and enhancement: Maintenance or increase of the building’s economic, social, and cultural value through adaptive reuse.
• Urban impact and integration: Projects that contribute positively to the surrounding urban environment, activating streetscapes, and enhancing community engagement.
• Innovation legacy: Creative approaches that set benchmarks for future renovation or adaptive reuse of tall buildings.

Recognises groundbreaking building products, materials, systems, or components that advance tall building construction through innovative design, enhanced performance, or novel applications that deliver meaningful benefits to the industry.

Judges in this category will be looking for products or solutions that demonstrate exceptional ingenuity, technical excellence, and measurable improvements to how tall buildings are designed, built, or operated. The focus is on innovations that push the sector forward – improving efficiency, quality, sustainability, or safety while addressing key challenges in modern high-rise development. Key areas of consideration include:

• Design and technical innovation: Introduction of new concepts, materials, technologies, or engineering approaches that represent a significant step forward for tall building applications.
• Performance enhancement: Demonstrated improvements in structural capability, durability, energy efficiency, safety, or overall building performance compared to conventional solutions.
• Industry impact and applicability: Clear evidence that the product or system addresses real-world challenges in tall building delivery and has the potential for widespread adoption or meaningful influence on industry practice.
• Sustainability and environmental responsibility: Use of low-impact materials, resource efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, or other strategies that support sustainable construction and long-term building performance.
• Integration and constructability: Ease of incorporation into tall building design and construction processes, including compatibility with other systems, offsite or modular methods, or streamlined installation.
• Innovation legacy and future potential: Contribution to advancing the field of tall building construction, with scalability, adaptability, or potential for further development and long-term industry benefit.