York firm Portakabin wins AI energy-saving award

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

A project by Aireavu and York-based Portakabin has won Smart Building Project of the Year at the 2026 Building Innovation Awards.

A project by Aireavu, with York-based Portakabin, has won Smart Building Project of the Year at the 2026 Building Innovation Awards, held during UK Construction Week in Birmingham. The award-winning project focuses on reducing energy waste in modular buildings by analysing user behaviour and automating controls to cut unnecessary consumption.

The AI-driven system reduced user-related energy waste by up to 87 per cent while maintaining or improving occupant comfort. Aidan Pearce, head of design, engineering and innovation at Portakabin, said: 'Portakabin buildings are designed to meet the same performance standards as permanent buildings. This project shows that, with good use of operational data, buildings can be managed just as efficiently day to day.'

Nic Shulman, CEO of Aireavu, described the system as 'cruise control for your building', saying it automatically manages radiators and other controllable energy users without requiring occupants to remember to adjust them manually.

How it is being reported

• York firm Portakabin celebrates award for artificial intelligence energy projectA project by Aireavu, with York-based Portakabin, recently won Smart Building Project of the Year at the 2026 Building Innovation Awards.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 23 Oct, 05:00
• York firm Portakabin celebrates award for artificial intelligence energy projectA project by Aireavu, with York-based Portakabin, recently won Smart Building Project of the Year at the 2026 Building Innovation Awards.York Press · 23 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Portakabin · Aireavu · UK Construction Week · Birmingham · York · Aidan Pearce · Nic Shulman

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