Futurebuild 2020: Be the catalyst for change

Conference and Keynote Stage sessions will debate issues affecting the built environment

This year’s Futurebuild, taking place on 3-5 March in ExCeL London, aims to inspire the construction industry to come together to be the catalyst for the changes needed to tackle the climate change challenge.

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 (3-5 March, ExCeL London) will inspire visitors 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.

Futurebuild’s highly regarded conference programme is returning for 2020, bigger and better than ever before. Following a three-day progression, the Arena will host a number of sessions focusing on the solving the current climate and ecological crisis. These will be led by politicians, academics and industry shapers.

Unmissable sessions for visitors include: ‘The future is regenerative’ chaired by Peter Murray, chair of New London Architecture (3 March). It will explore how design and construction needs a circular rethink. On day two (4 March) London mayoral candidate Rory Stewart will sit on a panel looking at ‘Carbon neutral cities of the future’ and examine the pathway to healthier, more resilient cities.

Also of interest will be a session on day one (3 March) where the UK climate policy will be scrutinised during the session titled ‘Who’s in charge of the climate crisis?’. Led by Aldersgate Group chair Joan Walley, this session will explore the fundamental transformation that is needed to alleviate the climate crisis and will invite input from the audience.

While discussions on the Conference Stage 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.

Of particular interest to visitors 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.

ZED Factory showcased its eco-friendly Zero Bills Home at Futurebuild 2019

Interiors at Futurebuild 2020 will be a leading destination for those seeking inspiration across all areas of commercial and domestic interiors. Buyers and high-level decision makers involved in student accommodation, housebuilding, commercial fitout, social housing and the public sector will have access to solutions covering healthy buildings, kitchens, bathrooms, surfaces and flooring.

Beyond the stages

Around each Keynote Stage will be an exhibition of innovative brands, offering 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 startup organisations, creating a dedicated platform to connect these companies with forward-thinking specifiers and buyers.

Brands and organisations that are leading the charge when it comes to innovation will be recognised through a dedicated Innovation Trail. A guided route will take visitors on a journey through the event and enable them to learn more about the latest thinking from Futurebuild’s Innovation Partners, including ACO Technologies, Smart Systems, The Hadley Group and Internorm.

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 will be the 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.

Entrants will present their ground-breaking ideas on each of the six Keynote Stages on day one, before shortlisted entries go head-to-head in the Arena on day two. A panel of renowned judges will determine the overall winning idea, which will be incorporated into BRE Academy Training and showcased in the BRE Innovation Park.

Martin Hurn, event director of Futurebuild, comments: “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.

“We understand that taking time out of work to attend events can be a challenge, which is why we will make sure that visitors can really get involved across a number of levels, from the world-class knowledge programme in the Arena and on the Keynote Stages, to the showcase of the latest innovations across the exhibition.

“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.”

Through product showcases, inspirational talks and collaborative seminars, Futurebuild 2020 will make innovation a tangible asset for visitors to assess, develop and implement to drive the industry towards one that is fit for purpose and for the future.