ZIGURAT named a finalist in the Building Innovation Awards 2026

ZIGURAT Institute of Technology has been selected as a finalist in both categories it entered in the Building Innovation Awards 2026: Most Innovative Partnership and Professional Services Partner of the Year. These British awards recognise innovation, collaboration and value creation within the construction sector.

The finalists were announced following an assessment of the entries by an independent panel of industry professionals. The winners will be revealed on 29 September in Birmingham.

ZIGURAT’s selection in both categories follows its inclusion in Build in Digital’s Top 50 ConTech Partners 2026, an international ranking that highlights companies and organisations driving innovation, technology adoption and the digital transformation of the built environment. Following this recognition, ZIGURAT was invited to enter the Building Innovation Awards.

Finalist in Most Innovative Partnership

In the Most Innovative Partnership category, ZIGURAT is one of four organisations selected as finalists. Its entry focuses on the institution’s collaboration model with technology companies, professional organisations, academic institutions and businesses from across the AECO sector, through which it brings innovation and applied knowledge to professionals worldwide.

ZIGURAT’s collaborative ecosystem includes partnerships with organisations such as Graphisoft, Esri, Bentley Systems, Women in BIM, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Smart Cities Council, among others. Through these collaborations, ZIGURAT incorporates technologies, certifications, specialist expertise and real-world industry cases into its educational programmes and community-focused activities.

Among other criteria, this category assesses the innovative nature of the partnership model, its ability to address shared industry challenges, its contribution to sustainability and the potential to adapt or replicate the initiatives developed.

Finalist in Professional Services Partner of the Year

ZIGURAT is also among the seven finalists in the Professional Services Partner of the Year category, alongside Buro Happold, NZC Solutions, Origin7, OryxAlign, Symetri Limited and Watson Farley & Williams.

This award recognises the contribution made by professional services organisations to the success of construction and infrastructure projects. The judging panel considers excellence in service delivery, innovation in professional practices, the value generated for clients and the wider industry, as well as the quality of outcomes, collaboration and leadership.

In this category, ZIGURAT’s entry highlights its 25-year track record in technology-focused education and innovation within the AECO sector, as well as its ability to help professionals and organisations adopt technologies, methodologies and approaches including BIM, AI, digitalisation, sustainability, Lean Construction and advanced project management.

The institution has an international community of more than 20,000 Alumni from over 120 countries, more than 200 international experts and a network of Local Hubs operating in over 15 countries. Its development has also been characterised by technological foresight, from the launch of its online learning platform in 2003 and its first BIM master’s programme in 2014 to the integration of artificial intelligence applied to construction into its programmes from 2023 onwards.

Its educational activity is complemented by international events such as the AI Congress, the ZIGURAT Summit and Student Week, which are designed to connect students, Alumni, lecturers, companies and professionals, while encouraging knowledge exchange across different markets and disciplines.

A process recognised for its transparency

In 2026, the Building Innovation Awards renewed the Outstanding Awards Trust Mark accreditation for the second consecutive year. Awarded by the Independent Awards Standards Council, this is the highest level within the accreditation system, which assesses aspects including the independence of the judging panel, the transparency of the process, the evaluation criteria and the experience of participating organisations.

The awards ceremony will take place on 29 September 2026 at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham, coinciding with UK Construction Week.

ZIGURAT’s presence among the finalists in two categories further strengthens the international recognition of a model built around connecting education, technology, companies and the professional community to advance the transformation of the architecture, engineering and construction sector.