As we say goodbye to yet another successful year at Futurebuild, it is time to reflect on the key highlights, game-changing moments and the lasting impact of Futurebuild 2024
In the wake of significant global sustainability challenges, the construction industry stands at a crossroads, where embracing sustainability and fostering innovation and collaboration is pivotal.
Futurebuild is the leading event for igniting conversations, inspiring change and shaping the future of sustainable construction.
Putting sustainability in the spotlight
Futurebuild 2024 is the platform for leaders in sustainability to converge and address critical issues. As Futurebuild continues to “walk the talk”, the winners of its first-ever Sustainable Stand Award were announced.
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) took home the inaugural award with a shell constructed entirely from recycled timber and OSB board alongside recycled, carbon-negative carpet.
Sustainability was also at the forefront of conversations within the National Retrofit Conference, which emerged as a pivotal section.
Highly influential speakers at the conference included Lord Callahan, tasked with driving conversations and initiatives aimed at making retrofit scalable and achievable.
Muyiwa Oki, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, held a session on the environmental, social and financial value of architecture, which focused heavily on sustainability: “Futurebuild is an extremely important event because educators, people and institutes such as RIBA come together to discuss and share ideas. The event itself creates the environment for change that we want to see.”
Innovation at every turn
Innovation is everywhere at Futurebuild, and a major reason why so many people choose to visit. A major hallmark of innovation at the event is The Big Innovation Pitch, which showcases the latest and most exciting developments each year.
The winner for 2024 was Adaptavate with its carbon-negative alternative to plasterboard: Breathaboard.
Thomas Robinson, CEO of Adaptavate, emphasised the importance of innovation at Futurebuild: “The Big Innovation Pitch has been great for us. It’s a platform for all big ideas that are looking to make an impact in the UK construction sector and even globally. The quality of people who attend is amazing and winning the award is an awesome validation. It really helps give us the platform to talk and change the way people think about the built
environment.”
Creating a culture of collaboration
Futurebuild is still the only event created by the industry, for the industry, with 400 brands in attendance, 80+ leading institutions contributing to the knowledge programme and 550 speakers sharing their expertise across two conferences and six inspiring stages.
With such a significant turnout, it’s not surprising that exhibitors averaged 205 leads each.
Dr Oliver Jones, director of sustainability and innovation at Cundall, highlighted the importance of collaborative events such as Futurebuild: “We are at an absolute nexus in the industry and if there is just one reason to attend Futurebuild, it is because it is the one place you can find like-minded people who are actually talking about tomorrow, and making some really big industry-led plans to reach a net zero future.”
On-demand knowledge
In its ongoing dedication to sustainability, Futurebuild has made all 176 sessions from its 2024 Knowledge Programme readily available online so that no one misses out and everyone is able to access the invaluable insights shared during Futurebuild 2024.
Participants now have the opportunity to revisit talks or catch up on sessions they missed spanning across the show’s two conferences – the Futurebuild Conference and the National Retrofit Conference – along with its six additional theatres including FutureX, Buildings, Energy, Sustainable Infrastructure, Materials and Digital.
With three days’ worth of engaging presentations and valuable insights shared from those at the very top of the industry, the on-demand Knowledge Programme proves pivotal in sharing best practice for the industry as a whole.
Speakers at the 2024 show included Smith Mordak, chief executive at UK Green Building Council; Lord Callahan from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero; and Muyiwa Oki, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Embracing future possibilities
Martin Hurn, event director at Futurebuild, celebrates Futurebuild 2024, and looks forward to Futurebuild 2025: “As a completely unique event, Futurebuild remains committed to our mission and values at every turn. We don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk by ensuring our actions resonate with our core principles. Our unrelenting laser focus on creating a positive impact in the industry will only grow for next year. The knowledge shared at this year’s event was second to none, and it can be accessed by anyone, anywhere as it becomes available on-demand.”
Futurebuild 2025 will take place on 4-6 March 2025 at London’s ExCeL, and will be an extra special event, celebrating its 20th year of making an impact on the built environment.
Martin Hurn
Event director
Futurebuild
