CIOB announces this year’s stars of Innovation and Research
For more than a decade the Chartered Institute of Building has been promoting the importance of new ideas and technology through its International Innovation and Research Awards.
There are no other awards in the built environment that acknowledge innovation and research on an international scale and are inclusive of the whole construction process, from design to delivery.
Alan Crane President of the CIOB said, “Construction might not always be at the front line of making political choices but we are certainly on the front-line of implementing them. Our aim is to increase the appreciation of what role research and innovation has to play in keeping our sector indispensable and solving the major challenges we face. That’s why these awards are so important, and we need to do more in connecting construction employers with the research community.”
Undergraduate Dissertation Award
Michael Corran from Leeds Metropolitan University received the Premier Award for his dissertation ‘Can passivhaus standards be met in the UK using traditional cavity wall construction?’
The judges commented ‘A great piece of work that was well presented and well organised. It built an argument that was supported throughout; focusing effectively on whether passivhaus standards can be met in the UK using traditional cavity wall construction.’
A Highly Commended Award went to Ben Furnell also from Leeds Metropolitan University for his dissertation ‘Energy performance certificates: a waste of time or an effective contributor to a low carbon future?’
Masters Dissertation Award
In the Masters Dissertation two Highly Commended Awards were given. Katy Graham from the University of Westminster picked up the first for her dissertation on ‘The impact of external stakeholder management in the delivery of construction projects’.
The second went to Vishakha V. Sakhare from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in Nagpure, India for her dissertation on the ‘Application of energy conservation measures for achieving functional comfort in the built environment’.
Research Paper Award
The Research Paper Premier Award was presented to Graeme D. Larsen from University of Reading for his Paper on ‘Understanding the early stages of the innovation diffusion process: awareness, influence and communication networks’
The judges commented, ‘An inspirational research paper that enables practitioners to rethink and understand the process of innovation. It is a fascinating piece of work with a novel approach.’
Company Innovation Award
Jason McKnight and Craig Cropper from Lend Lease Project Management and Construction received the Company Innovation Premier Award for ‘Eliminating the need for scaffolding – Innovative “walkabout” system used by Lend Lease on the Enterprise South Liverpool Academy Project.’
The judges commented, ‘The judging panel was impressed by this new innovative ”Walkabout” system, which makes use of an existing material to eliminate the need for scaffolding; describing it as an amazingly good innovation.’
Project Innovation Award
A Highly Commended Award was presented to Construction Industry Council Hong Kong, S. Thomas Ng and James M.W. Wong (The University of Hong Kong) for their report on ‘A product-based carbon labeling scheme for construction materials’
The judges commented ‘This report highlighted a project that not only clearly demonstrates a topic relevant to the present day, but also the work that the researchers have accomplished in order to progress the idea from the ground upwards, leading to the development of a carbon footprint assessment tool that could not only be used in Hong Kong, but also internationally.’
Sustainability Award (sponsored by MBEKTN and BRE)
Kevin McGarvey from Farrans Construction Ltd. in Belfast was awarded a Highly Commended for ‘The SKAINOS project – community transformation and renewal in East Belfast.’
The judges commented, ‘The panel was attracted by this sustainability project helping with community transformation and renewal in East Belfast. It was highly commended for the way in which a social dimension was achieved within this project, bringing everything and everyone together in the community.’
Health and Safety Award
Albert P.C. Chan from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University was awarded a Highly Commended for his ‘From heat tolerance time to optimal recovery time: A heat stress model for construction rebar workers in Hong Kong’ Paper.
The judges commented, ‘Not only is there a compelling argument presented within this project as to why a heat stress model is so important for workers in Hong Kong, but this project goes further, giving individual companies and policy makers an objective framework on which to base their policies. Something the judging panel felt was a significant development for health and safety in Hong Kong.’
For further information about the CIOB’s International Innovation and Research Awards please go to www.ciob.org.uk/iandr
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) represents for the public benefit the most diverse set of professionals in the construction industry.
Our Mission
To contribute to the creation of a modern, progressive, and responsible construction industry; able to meet the economic, environmental and social challenges faced in the 21st century.
Our 7 Guiding Principles
· Creating extraordinary people through professional learning and continuous personal development.
· Promoting the built environment as central to the quality of life for everyone everywhere.
· Achieving a sustainable future, worldwide.
· Advocating exemplary ethical practice and behaviour, integrity and transparency.
· Pursuing excellence in management practice, and technological innovation rooted in evidence based science.
· Being socially responsible and working responsibly.
· Enabling our members to find an emotional resonance with the Institute; their success is our success.
We have over 47,000 members around the world and are considered to be the international voice of the building professional, representing an unequalled body of knowledge concerning the management of the total building process.
Chartered Member status is recognised internationally as the mark of a true, skilled professional in the construction industry and CIOB members have a common commitment to achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards within the built environment.
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