Ecobuild is returning to the ExCeL London from 6-8 March 2018 and under the new ownership of Futurebuild Events, things are set to be very different
This year's Ecobuild is promising to be a lively and useful event, with its conference programme, sustainability showcases and futurebuild districts designed around what is happening in the construction industry. It will bring to life everything from the latest technology, most innovative materials and latest challenges in the sector, to keep architects at the forefront of the built environment.
The event is not only being shaped through comprehensive industry feedback, but also with direct input from leading influencers. These include former RIBA president and current head of its Expert Advisory Group on Fire Safety, Jane Duncan, as well as Lynne Sullivan, Bill Dunster, Robin Nicholson and Peter Murray – who are all members of the Ecobuild Steering Group, which is helping set the agenda for the event.
CPD-accredited conference programme
The industry-curated conference programme takes its lead from global environmental targets, with sessions reflecting the biggest concerns facing the built environment and formulating practical recommendations for action.
A number of key themes will run throughout the conference programme. Day one begins with some of the most pressing global issues, delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda. The session will be chaired by the former Labour head of the Environmental Audit Committee Joan Walley, and will feature keynote speaker Paula Caballero, global director of the Climate Programme at the World Resources Institute – one of the driving forces behind the development of the SDGs. The programme also includes a panel discussion on the response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy chaired by Jane Duncan. There will also be focuses on solving the housing crisis and how to achieve the aim of making all buildings net zero carbon by 2050.
All sessions included in both the conference and seminar programmes will be CPD-accredited.
Ecobuild sustainability showcases
Surrounding the conference arena will be the Ecobuild sustainability showcases, home to innovative solutions to the issues facing the built environment. The showcases will ensure sustainability is at the heart of the event and allow architects to touch, feel and experience the installations. Such innovations will include a full-scale demountable Passive Pod House from the Building Research in Architecture group, a pioneering approach to turning waste into a valuable resource from architect and environmental activist Duncan Baker-Brown, and the sustainable product showcase, where The Passivhaus Trust and the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products will present top products and materials.
The futurebuild districts
Surrounding the showcases will be a series of futurebuild districts – each focusing on a distinct, critical segment of the built envinronment.
Among those is the Building Performance district, where architects can explore the wellbeing agenda across new build, refurb and retrofit projects. Leading brands responsible for providing the envelope of buildings will showcase the latest construction materials, products and technologies, while the district will also be home to the RIBA bookshop and lounge – a vibrant space next to the seminar area. It will be designed by Freehaus, a young architecture practice which won a competition in conjunction with Rockpanel and Rockwool.
Architects will also be able to hear from experts as part of the Building Performance seminar programme sponsored by Kingspan. Sarah Ratcliffe, programme director at better Buildings Partnership, will be leading a panel discussion around ‘Design for Performance – Securing Commercial Buildings’ on day one of the event. Ed Suttie, research director at BRE, meanwhile will also be hosting a session exploring design for health and wellbeing in offices. He will be joined by Oliver Heath, Naghman Khan and Yasemin Kologlu.
Other districts on show at Ecobuild will include District Energy, Infrastructure, Timber, Concrete, Offsite, Green and Blue Infrastructure, and Energy and HVAC.