Futurebuild 2020: Be the catalyst for change
This year will see Eddie Weir PCIAT as part of a panel session, developed by CIAT in partnership with Futurebuild, entitled Professional Collaboration: Do it together, on the final day.
A clear message to come from the recent climate change demonstrations and declarations of action from government and leading organisations is that we need to work together. Put simply, without collaboration we will fail.
Futurebuild 2020, which takes place from 3-5 March 2020 at ExCeL London, will inspire Architectural Technology professionals to come together to deliver a more sustainable built environment, providing a platform for debate and discussion alongside the most innovative brands. The event will empower visitors to be the catalyst for change that is needed across industry.
Setting the agenda
Futurebuild is recognised for its agenda setting conference and this programme is evolving for 2020. Sessions will follow a three-day progression; the central theme will be on how to respond to the climate and ecological crisis facing us and commit to making a change. The Conference Stage Arena will be home to engaging sessions led by politicians, academics and industry shapers.
The conference will include a session which has been developed in partnership with CIAT. Professional Collaboration: Do it together takes place on day three (5 March) at 14:15-15:30. The debate will bring together presidents of several institutes (including Eddie Weir PCIAT) to discuss how those working in the built and natural environment are currently tackling the climate and ecological emergency, and ongoing plans for the future with responses from an independent panel and the Futurebuild audience.
Other sessions which will be of particular interest to Architectural Technology professionals include The future is regenerative chaired by Peter Murray, Chair of New London Architecture. The session, which takes place on day one (3 March), will explore how design and construction needs a circular rethink and how we can make our cities fit for purpose, our buildings net zero and champion green retrofit.
Additionally, on the second day of the conference (4 March) from 14:15-15:30, London Mayoral candidate Rory Stewart will sit on a panel on the Carbon neutral cities of the future session. From improving mobility to urban greening, and combatting air pollution, the panel will explore the pathway to healthier, more equitable and resilient cities.
Policy and legislation in the built environment will also be a key area of discussion on the main stage. How to mandate change: legislation, regulations and guidance, taking place on the second day of the conference at 12:30-13:45, is a session not to be missed for Architectural Technology professionals. The discussion, chaired by Julie Hirogoyen, Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council, will explore current policy context and changes required to achieve net zero, considering a range of perspectives from across the industry.
While discussions on the conference stage will focus on the biggest issues facing the built environment at a macro level, the six Keynote Stages will look at the specific challenges impacting building, offsite, energy, interiors, resourceful materials and critical infrastructure. This programme of solution-driven sessions will share the latest thinking and research, to educate, inform and inspire visitors to make a positive change.
The six Keynote Stages will address the following challenges:
- Buildings: retrofitted, re-used, net positive and built to perform
- Offsite: reliability and efficiency combined with creative placemaking
- Interiors: sustainable and health promoting
- Resourceful Materials: thinking circular to reduce, reuse and recycle
- Energy: accurate data for carbon accounting and reduced clean energy usage
- Critical Infrastructure: delivering integrated green, grey, blue and social infrastructure
Each day, the stages will host a focussed keynote presentation by a recognised expert in their field. This and other sessions will look at tangible solutions and approaches which will make a real difference to practice and performance.
Beyond the stages
Around each Keynote Stage there will be an exhibition of innovative brands, offering unique solutions to the challenges discussed in the companion knowledge programme. It will feature some of the largest headline brands in the sector, alongside SMEs and start-up organisations, creating a dedicated platform to connect these companies with forward-thinking specifiers and buyers.
Across the exhibition, brands and organisations that are leading the change when it comes to innovation will be recognised through the Innovation Trail. A guided route will take visitors on a journey through the event and immerse them in the latest thinking from Futurebuild's Innovation Partners, which include ACO Technologies, Smart Systems, CEMEX Steico and Hadley Group.
The Buildings area at Futurebuild 2020 will be of real interest to Architectural Technology professionals, covering everything from retrofit to re-use, to making buildings net positive and built to perform. Visitors will be able to explore and discuss the latest building technology, innovations and legislation.
Following on from last year's success, this area has been expanded to include two new showcase areas: the Whole House Retrofit Zone and the Digital Impact Zone. These spaces will enable visitors to deep-dive into refurb and retrofit solutions and experience the latest developments in digital construction.
The game changers are back
Championing innovation is the central purpose of Futurebuild and the 2020 event will see the return of the Big Innovation Pitch. Hosted across the event, in conjunction with BRE as technical partner, the competition will be the industry's largest call-out for innovation to date and will identify and celebrate novel new approaches to some of the biggest challenges facing us all.
On the first day of the event, SMEs will present their ground-breaking ideas on the six Keynote Stages. On day two, the winners on each stage will go head-to-head in the Arena with a panel of renowned judges determining the overall winner. The winner's idea will be incorporated into BRE Academy Training, with the solution also being showcased in the landmark BRE Innovation Park.
Previous years have seen innovative solutions, such as a sustainable alternative to plywood produced from mixed waste plastics and energy and cost saving air-conditioning units, take top spot.
Eddie Weir PCIAT commented: "We need to take advantage of innovative technology around us in order to promote sustainable design and construction methods. It's imperative that we improve the quality of our buildings to reduce construction costs and make buildings more eco-efficient overtime. Architectural Technology has the implementation of innovative construction ideas, products and methods woven into its very fabric. CIAT members embrace the challenges associated with these and our ability to design buildings. Futurebuild 2020 is a great opportunity for us to share these ideas and processes to tackle the biggest challenges facing the built environment."
Martin Hurn, Event Director at Futurebuild added: "The responsibility for tackling the climate emergency lies in all of our hands and we must collaborate in order to find solutions to secure our future. Futurebuild 2020 provides the perfect platform for forward-thinking decision makers across the built environment to come together and play a key part in driving positive change.
"We understand that taking time out of work to attend events can be a challenge, which is why we will make sure that visitors can really get involved across a number of levels, from the world class knowledge programme in the arena and on the Keynote Stages, to the showcase of the latest innovations across the exhibition. Innovation to us is more than just futuristic ideas, it's about sharing the latest thinking and ideas, processes and solutions, products and materials. All of these things coming together under one roof at Futurebuild 2020 will inspire people to do things differently and create real change."
Through product showcases, inspirational talks and collaborative seminars, Futurebuild 2020 will make innovation a tangible asset for visitors to assess, develop and implement to drive the industry towards one that is fit for purpose and for the future.
For more information about Futurebuild 2020, the home of innovation, visit futurebuild.co.uk.