Max Fordham the big winners at 2012 CIBSE Awards

Max Fordham scooped the New Build categories at last night's 2012 CIBSE Awards. The practice was recognised for an outstanding year, winning the Best New Build (Public) prize for John Hope Gateway in Edinburgh, and the Best New Build (Private) for the Brockholes Visitor Centre in Preston.

The Awards judges noted the innovative engineering in both winning projects. The John Hope Gateway building at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh drew praise for how it 'clearly delivered a building with reduced energy use and carbon emissions.' The building, designed in collaboration with Edward Cullinan Architects, serves visitors to the Gardens.

The Visitor Centre at Brockholes, a 76-hectare nature reserve in north-west England, is constructed on floating pontoons in a designated flood zone. The CIBSE judges noted that 'the design responds to the environment in every way.' The integration of the services and the floor design, and the innovation in kitchen servicing and sewage management particularly attracted their attention. Max Fordham worked with Adam Kahn Architects to deliver the project.

The annual Awards, held at Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane and hosted by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers, were again compered by Huw Edwards this year.