A broad spectrum of bold expert analysis and best practice relating to all aspects of the architectural industry – from the burning issues of today to beyond – will be examined at Ecobuild, the UK’s largest show dedicated to construction and energy.
The show will provide architects and specifiers with access to the very latest, invaluable industry insights, trends and projections relating to all aspects of the profession through a mix of a high-level conference, CPD-accredited learning hubs and more than 800 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of new products, materials, solutions and services.
Day two of Ecobuild 2016 is the show’s dedicated Architecture Day and features a unique opportunity to look at the changing role of the architect, the importance of architecture across the built environment and the need for change. Visitors will also get the chance to rub shoulders with industry experts and the biggest architectural practices in the UK, and examine some of the most interesting and innovative projects and products that are pushing boundaries and driving the industry forward.
Ecobuild and architecture go hand in hand. 96 per cent of the top UK architectural practices as listed in BD’s annual Top 100, 84 per cent of the top housebuilders and contractors attended the show in 2015 and 88 per cent of architects who visited last year’s show rate attendance at Ecobuild as essential to their business.
Attracting more than 40,000 industry professionals from across the whole supply chain each year, Ecobuild is the leading exhibition and conference for the UK construction and energy market. The 2016 event will see an evolved proposition for the event to focus on areas of industry growth and market priorities such as housing, infrastructure, next generation innovation, technology and people.
Building on the moon
The backbone of Ecobuild’s Architecture Day is provided by a provocative and controversial conference programme that sets the direction for the industry, illustrating the importance of design, the diversity of modern design and the extremes of architecture. From the role of architecture in world class infrastructure projects, to the need for more legislation to bring out the best in design to how to build on the moon and address the skills gap.
Chaired by BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz, speakers include Sadie Morgan, Founder of dRMM and chair of the HS2 Design Panel, Simon Allford of Sterling Prize winners AHMM, Xavier de Kestelier of Foster & Partners, and writer, journalist, essayist and film-maker, Jonathan Meades.
Xavier de Kestelier gives one of the day’s more controversial presentations by exploring the horizons of combining science, engineering and architecture to enable building on the moon. Not so much a presentation advocating development on the swathes of land on the moon, rather an exploration of how we could build more efficiently and resourcefully in keeping with existing terrain.
The architectural infrastructure of the UK’s revolutionary HS2 rail link will feature in a presentation by Sadie Morgan. She commented:
“Ecobuild is the perfect place to discuss the importance of architecture in world class infrastructure projects. We will discuss how to apply an architect’s focus on good design to major infrastructure projects – perfectly reflecting the events synergy between the two disciplines.”
Acknowledging architecture’s innovators
Ecobuild’s Architecture Day will be brought to a close by the globally-renowned BD Architect of the Year Awards, with the winners across 13 closely-contested categories announced.
All shortlisted entries will be on display at Ecobuild’s DISCOVER bar throughout the show, giving visitors the opportunity to cast their eye over the very best projects completed by the very best practices operating across the UK.
The DISCOVER bar itself will be of architectural interest, with students from the Bartlett School of Architecture challenged to design the social venue as part of an Ecobuild competition organised in conjunction with sponsor Medite-SmartPly.
Ecobuild’s essential educational offering
Ecobuild 2016 will feature six CPD-accredited learning hubs; Building Performance, Design, Energy, Build circular, Infrastructure Revolution and Digital Building. A highly-provoking seminar programme, it will provide visitors and exhibitors with the know-how to do their jobs better and the business case to help them make more informed decisions to address these challenges.
The programme will be delivered by industry leading figures and organisations including Architype, Glenn Howells Architects, Marks & Spencer, British Land, Jones Lang LaSalle, BRE, Zero Carbon Hub and Willmott Dixon Energy Services.
Housing and Next Generation
Ecobuild 2016 will focus on two further streams either side of the Architecture Day. The first day looks at Homes, exploring the most pressing, divisive and important decisions that the industry must take to deliver comfortable, sustainable, resilient places and homes. What do new-build and retrofitted homes and communities need to deliver, and at what cost?
Day three is devoted to Next Generation and looks at how smart technology, changing demographics and wellness will drive design and construction in the future as well as how we will address the skills gap and attract young talent to the industry.
These streams are supported by a number of initiatives, including SMART @ Ecobuild, an area dedicated to exploring how smart technology is forging an ever-closer and advantageous relationship between people and the environments we inhabit.
Driven by ever-increasing demand – with the global market for smart building technologies forecast to triple to £14 billion by 2019 – SMART @ Ecobuild places the latest technological advances in the hands of visitors.
The shortlist for Ecobuild’s Big Innovation Pitch 2016, an initiative in partnership with Marks & Spencer to unearth innovation across the design, construction and energy sectors will be on display at the DISCOVER bar.
Each of the 15 shortlisted entries has been validated by a panel of judges and is vying for the opportunity to win a contract with M&S and roll their product/solution out in stores across the UK.
Just five finalists from this group will be invited to make a final pitch to the judges, including Chris Marney, Head of Engineering and Energy at M&S, in a special conference session hosted by Rachel Riley from the Gadget Show and Countdown on day three of the conference, before the overall winner is announced.
Reflecting the construction industry, Ecobuild is constantly evolving; ensuring that it continues to provide relevant, dynamic content and create opportunities to make new connections.
Architects will find a wealth of specialist support and solutions – and much more besides – at Ecobuild 2016.
Ecobuild is on 8-10 March at Excel London. To find out more please visit: www.ecobuild.co.uk.