Opening Address by Hannah Gray - CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year Winner

Designing Buildings Fit for 2050: A Next Generation Perspective

This opening address reflects on what it means for buildings to be “fit for 2050”, moving beyond compliance towards real performance, resilience, and inclusive design. It highlights the role of research, data, and collaboration in delivering buildings that support both people and the planet.

Hannah Gray is a mechanical engineer at Foster + Partners and the current CIBSE ASHRAE Graduate of the Year. She is a graduate from the University of Edinburgh with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering. Alongside her professional practice, Hannah is actively involved in mentoring and graduate development, supporting early-career engineers through a range of industry engagement initiatives. Her work focuses on integrating technical design decisions with measurable sustainability outcomes, with a particular interest in how engineering strategies can support high-performance, environmentally responsible buildings.