Futurebuild, the event that’s championed a more sustainable built environment for the past 16 years, returns to the ExCeL London from 1-3 March 2022. The net zero pioneer has curated an event that will connect specifiers, decision makers and disruptors with over 300 leading brands who are developing technologies and services to transform the built environment
At COP26, the built environment was given 12 months to turn climate pledges into significant action to limit temperature rises to 1.5C. Futurebuild, previously Ecobuild, will be perfectly timed to focus on the key issues and actions needed to work towards net zero.
The focus is no longer about ambition — it is about delivery. As the only event to attract 20,000+ senior professionals from across the built environment sector, Futurebuild is the perfect opportunity for the industry to meet and collaborate to achieve net zero targets.
Futurebuild 2022 will be organised into six sections: Buildings, Offsite, Interiors, Resourceful Materials, Energy and Critical Infrastructure.
The Offsite section, in partnership with Explore Offsite, gives visitors the opportunity to meet with offsite construction professionals who are making significant changes in this fast-growing sector. Here, attendees can find the most innovative offsite products, materials and processes on the market.
The Offsite seminar sessions will explore Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and the use of technology to effectively construct a more sustainable built environment. Leading partner, the Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH), will present key outcomes from its three-year project to develop industrialised offsite solutions and explain what it means for the future of the housebuilding industry.
The Offsite section also includes sessions on safely using timber in construction from the Structural Timber Association, innovation in precast concrete curated by MPA British Precast and how volumetric manufactured buildings can deliver a net zero future for construction, curated by MBPA.
Conference programme
Sponsored by Construction Innovation Hub, Futurebuild 2022’s conference programme will explore some of the key questions and issues around closing the gap between net zero ambition and delivery, inviting a panel of industry experts to share their experiences on a range of topics.
The first session on day one focuses on action plans — Beyond COP26: our action programme. The physical impacts of climate change we are already experiencing highlight the need for developing long-term resilience. At the same time, we must reduce emissions, restore natural resources and biodiversity, ensure a sustainable food supply and recognise the impacts of climate change on human health and wellbeing. This session will focus on the actions that the UK construction industry will be taking — starting now.
“We have had a difficult and uncertain time since Futurebuild 2020 and the impact of the pandemic and COP26 have been explored in a number of webinars during this time,” explained Sue James, Edge member.
“As our thoughts turn to COP27, we have clearly established what we need to do and must now focus on how to do it at scale. The opportunities to change are here — the question now is, do we have the courage to act on them?”
On days two and three, the 2022 conference programme topics include raising aspirations — leading by example to make change happen, resolving energy supply and demand and living in a sustainable relationship with nature. The programme will conclude with a conversation between architect Peter Clegg, engineer Hanif Kara and sustainability editor for the Architect’s Journal Hattie Hartman on the future of building design in our climate and ecologically challenged world.
Spotlights
The event will also feature six spotlights with a mixture of presentations, discussions and practical demonstrations covering the fundamental issues facing the built environment. Digital Impact, sponsored by Glider, Whole House Retrofit in partnership with the Retrofit Academy, Circular Materials in partnership with 540 World, District Energy in partnership with UKDEA, Future Installer in partnership with MCS and Intelligent Buildings in partnership with KNX.
The Digital Impact spotlight will showcase emerging and disruptive technologies, as well as the digital pioneers harnessing the power of technology to create a more sustainable built environment.
The Digital Impact speaker programme will cover three key themes — collaboration, visualisation and innovation. On day one, John Adams, head of product for Glider, will explore why the future of construction in digital, looking at its positive influence and how, over the last two years, the pandemic has challenged us to embrace digital beyond what we thought was possible.
Highlights of the programme will be the fusion of digital and sustainability to join the fight against climate change, how healthy buildings produce healthy environments, immersive technology, digital twins and unmissable developments on the intelligence driving our smart cities.
The Intelligent Buildings spotlight will help inform the industry on the smart products and technologies making buildings more intelligent while minimising environmental impact and reducing costs end users. The spotlight will showcase a variety of solutions, including home automation, energy management systems and security access control technology.
“Our exhibitors and attendees are all working towards a common goal — achieving net zero,” explained Martin Hurn, event director at Futurebuild.
“Now, more than ever, the industry needs to meet in person and do business face to face. To ensure we can deliver a sustainable future, we’ve curated an event that cultivates cross-sector collaboration, addresses key industry issues and inspires transformational change.”
If you’re interested in visiting Futurebuild 2022 and exploring the most innovative products and solutions in the built environment, register for your place here.
Martin Hurn
Event director
Futurebuild
www.futurebuild.co.uk
Twitter: @FuturebuildNow
LinkedIn: Ecobuild UK
YouTube: Ecobuildnow
Instagram: @futurebuildnow
