Futurebuild 2020 announces the winner of the big innovation pitch

Day Two (4 March) of Futurebuild 2020 drew to a close with Rype Office being declared the overall winner of the Big Innovation Pitch – delivered in partnership with BRE, the competition is industry’s largest callout for innovation to date.

Champions Rype Office, who are a Circular Economy office furniture company, responded to the challenge around sustainable and health promoting interiors.

Jamie Harbour, Rype Office Relationship Manager, commented: “We are honoured to have won the Big Innovation Pitch. It’s fantastic that Futurebuild embraces the Circular Economy and champions sustainability.

“Winning will help us continue to spread the word and increase awareness around our innovations.”

Gillian Charlesworth, BRE Group’s Chief Executive, commented: “As the world leader in developing innovative solutions to improve the built environment that we live in, BRE is delighted to partner with Futurebuild for this year’s Big Innovation Pitch, celebrating those who are seeking answers to the most difficult and complex industry challenges.

“It is essential that pioneering solutions are celebrated and supported to drive real change, which is why the overall winner this year will receive twelve months’ worth of BRE Academy’s online training and all shortlisted companies will enjoy discounted courses for six months. Congratulations to all the winners.”

The journey to ‘100% net zero carbon’

The Arena was packed for a second day of insightful, agenda setting sessions. It opened, with standing room only, with a panel discussing the critical need to transition to a net zero carbon world.

They stressed that the time to act is now and helped to answer important questions on not only ‘why’, but also ‘how’, industry can achieve 100% net zero carbon.

Keith Clarke, Chair of the Forum for the Future, Constructionarium and Active Building Centre Swansea, said we should not focus on the goal that has been set for 2050, and instead should aim for net zero carbon by 2025.

He explained that we must all be open to making a change in the work that we do and that the way in which we deal with climate change is fundamental, with significant opportunities for business.

He added that it is not about performance in 2050, it’s about what we offer tomorrow and as a sector it is important we make the changes now and move to more sustainable approaches to remain competitive in the market.

During the afternoon session examining ‘Carbon neutral cities of the future’, crowds of visitors gathered to hear from London Mayoral Candidate and former Conservative Party leadership hopeful, Rory Stewart.

He warned the Arena not to ‘let anyone make you think that talking about a digital future is different to a green future, these things are one and the same.’

He also highlighted the need for delivery and humility in order to unlock the ‘bold, brave and green’ future we all want.

The sessions across the Keynote Stages continued to spark engaging discussions and deliver innovative solutions to the biggest issues facing the built environment.

The Passivhaus Superstars session on the Buildings Keynote Stage explored three high profile ‘superstar’ projects including the RIBA Stirling Prize winning Goldsmith Street.

James Turner from Mikhail Riches, the architects behind the project, described Passivhaus as buildings being built well and closing the performance gap.

The future of networking

Valuable meetings and networking sessions continued across the event on day two with a busy day in the Innovation Lounge, home to Futurebuild 2020’s Lead Innovation Partner, the partners from UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Transforming Construction Challenge.

This is the first time the partners have joined forces at an event and visitors met with experts from the Active Building Centre, the Construction Innovation Hub and the Transforming Construction Network Plus to find out about the opportunities available.

Networking events took place across the day including Women in BIM on the Digital Impact Stage. Innovation Partner Internorm hosted an evening event examining Future Efficient Buildings.

Bioregional’s One Planet Communities photography exhibition took centre stage on their stand and the Water Alliance was joined by visitors keen to learn more about sustainable water solutions.

Martin Hurn, Futurebuild Event Director, commented: “We had another extremely busy day at Futurebuild 2020, with some standout sessions on both the Arena and Keynote Stages.

“We are determined that this year’s event will lead to meaningful action that will make a real difference to the built environment.

“We’re also delighted that the Big Innovation Pitch is back with such a bang. I want to say thank you to all the finalists and of course huge congratulations to our overall winner Rype Office. We’re excited to see what the future holds for them.”

There is still time to get a ticket for the final day of Futurebuild 2020 – simply visit futurebuild.co.uk/register

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