Futurebuild 2020: Be the catalyst for change

Recent climate change demonstrations and government declarations have made one thing clear according to Futurebuild – that we must all come together to take action against the environmental challenges we are facing, urging that, without collaboration, we will fail.

Against this backdrop, Futurebuild 2020, taking place from 3 – 5 March at ExCeL London, is set to inspire visitors to join fellow industry leaders and innovators to be the catalyst for change, to help deliver a more sustainable built environment.

Setting the agenda

Futurebuild’s highly-regarded Arena programme is returning this year, bigger and better than ever before. Their will be a number of sessions focusing on solving the current climate and ecological crisis, led by politicians, academics and industry shapers.

Sessions which are set to be unmissable include ‘Carbon neutral cities of the future’, where London Mayoral Candidate Rory Stewart will explore the pathway to healthier, more resilient cities on day two.

Another key session is ‘Professional Collaboration: Do it together’, developed in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT).

This session on day three will bring the presidents of the institute together to discuss how those working in the built and natural environment are currently responding to the climate and ecological emergency, as well as ongoing plans to continually evolve ways of working for the future.

While discussions 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. Each day, the six stages will host a focused keynote presentation by a recognised expert in their field.

On day two on the Buildings stage Rick Hartwig, Built Environment Lead at The Institution of Engineering and Technology will chair, ‘The Retrofit Roadmap: how can government policy enable retrofit to thrive?’, where a panel will ask the question ‘What do the next five years have in store for domestic retrofit?’.

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.

It 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 will be the Buildings section, featuring key exhibitors including Build Test Solutions, briq.works, CIAT, Ecodek, and Passivhaus Trust.

This section is expanding for 2020 to include two new showcase areas; the Whole House Retrofit Zone, in partnership with the Retrofit Academy and Osmosis, and the Digital Impact Zone, sponsored by Sir Robert McAlpine and UK Connect.

Brands and organisations that are leading the charge when it comes to innovation will be recognised through a dedicated Innovation Trail across the event.

A guided route will take visitors on a journey enabling them to learn more about the latest thinking from Futurebuild’s Innovation Partners, including Aereco, Ventilation Limited, The Concrete Centre, CEMEX, Forterra Building Products, and Renson Fabrications Ltd.

The game changers are back

Championing innovation is the central purpose of Futurebuild and the 2020 event will see 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 of the biggest challenges facing us all.

Some of the shortlisted companies include The C.H.E.E.S.E Project’s unique method of low-cost thermal imaging surveying (Energy Tracing™) which empowers householders to take affordable action by cutting bills and taking positive action in response to the climate emergency and fuel poverty.

Another entry in the Buildings section of the competition is AirEx, which is an IoT-enabled innovative smart ventilation control (an “intelligent air-brick”) that enables 15% heat demand reduction in homes, without compromising damp and air-quality.

The AirEx vent units replace the home’s existing air bricks to help reduce energy demand while controlling moisture in the building. Its in-built smart sensors monitor and analyse environmental conditions while its cloud-based algorithms responsively regulate the airflow by adjusting the aperture of the vent.

Shortlisted entrants will present their ground-breaking ideas on each of the six Keynote Stages on day one, before finalists go head-to-head in the Arena on day two. A panel of renowned judges will determine the winning idea. 

The overall winner of the Big Innovation Pitch will receive a year’s worth of BRE Academy’s online training and a free stand at Futurebuild 2021.

One company from each section will also be crowned winner, receiving free access to a BRE Academy online training course of their choice. Finally, all shortlisted companies will enjoy 20% of the BRE Academy’s online courses for 6 months.

Martin Hurn, Event Director of Futurebuild, commented: “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.

“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.”

More information and registration for Futurebuild can be found by clicking the following link.