The built environment show returns to ExCeL London in March, providing a platform for leading brands to share innovations with more than 27,000 influencers
Recent climate change demonstrations and government declarations make one thing clear: we must all come together to take action against the climate change challenges we are facing. Put simply, without collaboration we will fail.
Against this backdrop, Futurebuild 2020 (3 to 5 March, ExCeL London) will inspire architects and designers to join fellow industry leaders and innovators to be the catalyst for change that is so urgently needed to help deliver a more sustainable built environment.
Setting the agenda
Futurebuild’s highly regarded Arena programme is returning for 2020, bigger and better than ever before, with the climate and ecological crisis leading conversations. Following a three-day progression, the discussions will be led by politicians, academics and industry shapers.
While conversation in the Arena will focus on the biggest issues facing the built environment at a macro level, six Keynote Stages located across the event will look at the specific challenges impacting Buildings, 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 Buildings Keynote stage will explore the latest thinking and initiatives in building quality and performance. Opening the programme on day one (3 March) is the RIBA Sustainable Futures Group, which will host a session on delivering on sustainability with a greener RIBA Plan of Work.
Beyond the stages
Around each Keynote Stage will be an exhibition of innovative brands offering unique solutions to the challenges discussed in the companion knowledge programme. The exhibition 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.
Of particular interest to architects and designers will be the Buildings section, which is expanding for 2020 to include two new showcase areas: the Whole House Retrofit Zone and the Digital Impact Zone. Here, visitors will have the chance to discuss the various refurb and retrofit solutions, both current and in development, as well as the latest developments in digital construction. The hugely popular RIBA Bookshop will also return to the show with a vibrant space for book signings from a number of RIBA selected authors.
With innovation running through the whole event, Futurebuild has announced that the UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) Transforming Construction Challenge (TCC) partners are joining forces as its Lead Innovation Partner. The Challenge is made up of three organisations - the Active Building Centre, the Construction Innovation Hub, and the Transforming Construction Network Plus. Together, these organisations are unleashing and nurturing the construction sector’s innovative potential by working with industry and academia to drive change in how we build our buildings. They want to ensure we build safer, healthier, more affordable, more energy-efficient buildings that deliver better outcomes for those who use them and for wider society.
The centrepiece of the partners’ presence at Futurebuild 2020 will be a centrally located Innovation Lounge. With the Challenge offering a range of opportunities for UK-based researchers and businesses, the lounge will provide visitors with the opportunity to meet with experts across the three organisations and find out how they can become involved.
Along with TCC, Futurebuild’s innovation partners will be recognised through a dedicated Innovation Trail. A guided route will take visitors on a journey through the event enabling them to learn more about the latest thinking from these leading brands, including ACO Technologies, Smart Systems, Renson, Steico, 540 World and Forterra.
The game-changers are back
Championing innovation is the central purpose of Futurebuild and the 2020 event sees the return of the Big Innovation Pitch. Hosted across the event, in conjunction with BRE as technical partner, the competition is industry’s largest call-out for innovation to date and will identify and celebrate novel new approaches to tackle the biggest challenges facing us all.
'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,' says Martin Hurn, event director at Futurebuild. '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. Innovation to us is more than just futuristic concepts, 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.'
Futurebuild 2020, 3-5 March, ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL. Visitor registration is now open at futurebuild.co.uk/registration. For more information about Futurebuild 2020, the home of innovation, visit futurebuild.co.uk