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It’s Your BREEAM – and it shows!

The Your BREEAM category of this year’s BREEAM Awards attracted more than 6,000 votes on the BREEAM website.

The Your BREEAM category of this year’s BREEAM Awards attracted more than 6,000 votes on the BREEAM website. It was the opportunity for project teams, building users and members of the public to vote for their favourite BREEAM building from the awards shortlists, which included more than 40 projects from across Europe.

There was fierce competition in the voting, with the lead changing hands on an almost daily basis. There was also a good deal of social media generated, with the shortlisted teams canvassing for support from building users and the public at large. All of this demonstrating the strong sense of pride and commitment felt by the teams in their high scoring BREEAM rated buildings.

Some of the winners at the BREEAM Awards 2016
Some of the winners at the BREEAM Awards 2016

In addition to voting, we also asked for comments on why the building was such a favourite, which illustrated the strong support for all of the projects in the Awards shortlists.

The Central Bank of Ireland’s refurbished office space in the centre of Dublin attracted a lot of votes. It is the first office building in Ireland to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating. A “great addition to the shores of the Liffey” said one voter. “It’s a landmark for Dublin, physically and in terms of sustainable development” said another.

For Derwent London’s White Collar Factory, another high scoring development, “The running track on the roof is great”, “The façade design looks cool and keeps occupants cool” and “A simple and elegant solution”.

The international scope of the BREEAM Awards was very evident this year. ABN AMRO’s headquarters building in Amsterdam attracted a lot of positive comment. “A 17 year old building has been made very sustainable” said one voter, “Beautiful. Different colours. Good architect” said another. The building was also the winner in the Offices In-Use category of the Awards.

The fit-out of the Noda building, Paris for Coca-Cola France triumphed in the Offices Refurbishment category and also attracted strong praise from occupiers and users. “A cool place to work!” said one, “Environmentally friendly whilst being an amazing workspace” said another.

Even the smaller one-off projects represented in the Awards gave rise to applause – Villa Moraira in Alicante was described as “Simple, pretty, comfortable and sustainable” – and industrial buildings such as Prologis’ DC1 in Dunstable were praised, one voter commenting the project is “demonstrating that the industrial sector is not the poor relation.”

The ultimate winner in the Your BREEAM vote was The Edge in Amsterdam. Smart technology is a distinguishing feature of OVG Real Estate’s sustainability strategy in this building, with occupants able to control temperature and light levels via their smart phones. The result is 70% less electricity usage than comparable office buildings.

OVG Real Estate's The Edge, Amsterdam
OVG Real Estates The Edge Amsterdam

However what do occupiers and users think of the building? “Beautiful design, wonderful sustainability” said one. “Best sustainable office to work in. Love it!” another and “Highest BREEAM score says it all!” The occupiers of The Edge include Deloitte Netherlands and AKD. The building was also a judges’ favourite in the Awards, coming out on top in the Offices – New Construction category.

All together the voting and feedback showed the pride in the range of buildings in the shortlist and how outstanding design, well-being for users and sustainability can go hand in hand.

You can continue to show your support for the BREEAM buildings you love by tweeting a photo using #BREEAM and @BRE_BREEAM. We will pick that up and help you to show your support for your favourite building.