The jury behind the Building Component Award identifies and nominates award recipients who have drawn particular attention to the sustainable value creation of building components. The award is presented to individuals or small groups who have made a special effort to highlight the sustainable value creation of building components.
By honouring greatness in the details, we aim to inspire continued innovation and rethinking – as a necessary driving force in the sustainable transformation of the construction industry.
(Video in Danish)
Criteria
Value creation of the Building Component
- Sustainability potential: The component’s ability to contribute to environmental, social and economic sustainability goals, with reference to applicable standards.
- Innovative relevance: The component’s potential to introduce new criteria that highlight its significance within a broader sustainable context.
The Developmental Journey of the Award Recipient
- Personal contribution: Mission, perseverance and innovative strength.
- Barriers: Challenges such as legislation, standards, production, functionality, economy and market—and the recipient’s role in navigating these.
- Collaboration: The recipient’s ability to foster interdisciplinary partnerships and engage in communities that advance the sustainability agenda.
Meet the jury for the Building Component Award 2025
The jury consists of highly respected representatives from the construction industry in Denmark with a special focus on and an innovative approach to sustainable transformation in construction.
Mette Tony is a founding partner of Praksis Arkitekter, architect MAA and Construction Economist MDB. Praksis Arkitekter develops individual buildings with ties to the local site and culture.
Mette Tony is one of Denmark’s most award-winning architects, having received the Danish Wood Award 2021, Nykredit’s Architecture Award 2017, Dreyer Foundation Honorary Award 2017, Concrete Element Award and Utzon Statuette 2017, Henning Larsen Foundation Honorary Award 2016, Eckersberg Medal in 2008 and Academy Gold Medal 2004, and was nominated/shortlisted for the EU Mies van der Rohe Award in 2022, 2021, 2019, 2013 and 2003.
Mette Tony chairs the jury.
Claus Juul Nielsen is CEO of Gamle Mursten
He holds an MBA from Aalborg University, and has been owner and CEO of Gamle Mursten since 2003 – a solid, socially responsible and forward-looking business built on collecting, cleaning and reusing old bricks. Claus Juul Nielsen has cultivated unique expert knowledge about a specific building component and has managed to establish a new supply chain that makes it possible to reuse bricks on a large scale.
Claus Juul Nielsen received the Building Component Award in 2021.
Frank Jensen is Board Chairman and owner of Søren Jensen Rådgivende Ingeniørfirma.
With a bachelor’s degree from Aarhus University School of Engineering, studies at Bath University and a PhD from the University of Cambridge, Frank Jensen represents the third generation in the company, and has innovated new sustainable strategies and materials with a special focus on regenerative construction. Frank Jensen sits on a number of boards, including at Aarhus University. He is co-founder of Aarhus Centre for Regenerative Building and founder and Chairman of Søren Jensen Technologies and Hyphen.
Gitte Gylling Olsen is Green Transition and Sustainability Director at COWI.
She holds an MSc in Architectural Engineering from Aalborg University, where she also completed an industrial PhD with VKR Holding and VELUX A/S.
Gitte Gylling Olsen is chair of the knowledge and competence committee of Rådet for Bæredygtigt Byggeri (formerly Green Building Council Denmark), a Certified Advisor in Sustainable Building and DGNB Auditor.
Hassan Chaachouh is project manager and sustainability manager in Danske Ejendomme at Lærernes Pension.
He holds an MSc in Architectural Engineering from DTU and a Mini MBA in Sustainable Management. Hassan Chaachouh is a DGNB consultant in ‘New buildings and extensive renovation’ and in ‘Buildings in operation’, a member of the sustainability committee of the Danish Association of Construction Clients, an alternate member of the board of the Danish Association for Responsible Construction, a member of the board of representatives of Realdania and IDA, and also sits on the committee for Investors and Developers in Rådet for Bæredygtigt Byggeri (RFBB, formerly Green Building Council Denmark).
Mads Okking is a development consultant at Dansk Håndværk, with a background as a bricklayer, stonemason and restoration tradesman.
He served as chair of Foreningen for Bevaringshåndværkere for a number of years. He spends much of his time today as a project manager on development projects, teaching and holding lectures/presentations on topics such as sustainability, education and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Mads contributes actively to public debate through the Den Nysgerrige Håndværker podcast, and participates in a number of committees, networks and steering and support groups within the construction industry.
Former jury members
- Anna Mette Exner, owner of Anna Mette Exner Arkitektur (2023)
- Jacob Steen Møller, Director of Facilities, DTU (2019, 2021, 2023)
- Kurt Bering Sørensen, CEO, Bering Board, former CEO (2017, 2019, 2021)
- Bjarne Graabæk Thomsen, former Executive Vice President, jury chair (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)
- Ellen Kathrine Hansen, Associate Professor, Aalborg University at Campus Copenhagen (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)
- Søren Nielsen, Partner, Vandkunsten (2017, 2019)
- Arne Becker, Executive Vice President, MT Højgaard A/S (2017)
- Ole Bønnelycke, Head of Secretariat, Byggeskadefonden (2017)
- Anne Beim, Professor, The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts’ Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation (2015)
- Mikkel Kragh, Programme Manager, Danish Architecture Center (2015)