PREVIEW: ECOBUILD 2018 timber was one of the building materials that visitors were most interested in and, in response, an area specifically dedicated to timber has been introduced for 2018. Supported by the Structural Timber Association, Wood for Good, Timber Trade Federation, British Woodworking Federation and TRADA it will include a series of ‘Timber Talks’ focused on key topics, including social housing, self-build and SIPS, as well as a new timber pavilion called the Launch Pad, where SMEs and start-up companies can get support with their new product launches. There will also be the opportunity visit the TRADA bookshop, where members of the TRADA team will discuss its latest publications. Following its success last year, the Offsite district will return in partnership with Explore Offsite. The exhibition will feature ground-breaking offsite construction solutions and masterclasses, including
ECOBUILD SUSTAINABILITY SHOWCASES
a session focused on the use of structural timber as
The showcases include the Natural Building Products Café, where experts will be on hand
a volumetric modular unit and what it can offer the
to provide demonstrations and information about natural building materials and techniques.
offsite industry.
There will also be the Sustainable Product Showcase, where The Passivhaus Trust and the
Other futurebuild districts include Building
Alliance for Sustainable Building Products will present top products and materials.
Performance, District Energy, Infrastructure, Concrete, Offsite, Green & Blue Infrastructure and Energy & HVAC. “We want ecobuild to be as relevant and valuable as possible to our exhibitors, visitors and partners, and this is why we’ve created the
futurebuild districts,” explained Martin Hurn,
years. By giving them the prominence they deserve
managing director of Futurebuild Events.
at ecobuild now, we’re certain we can help to
“All of these areas will play a central role in the evolution of the built environment in the next few
stimulate the conversations and knowledge sharing that will lead to better outcomes in the future.”
ANOTHER LEVEL The conference line up for 2018 has been
led by Peter Murray, chairman of New London
Martin Hurn, managing director of
shaped around delivering the UN’s Sustainable
Architecture; the possibilities of achieving zero
Futurebuild Events, said: “The calibre of
Development Goals (SDGs), New Urban Agenda
carbon, chaired by Victoria Kate Burrows, project
speakers joining us at ecobuild 2018 is
and Paris Agreement and will feature a 70-plus-
manager, Advancing Net Zero, World Green
fantastic. We are committed to working with
strong list of industry-leading expert speakers.
Building Council and the opportunities of tech for
recognised leading industry innovators to bring
the built environment.
some thoughtful, achievable and effective ideas
These will include Paula Caballero, global director climate programme at the World
to the event. The line-up of topics and speakers
past president RIBA and chair of the RIBA Fire
UN SDG); Lord Jack McConnell, co-chair of the
Safety Advisory Group, will chair a session
APPG on the UN SDGs; Joan Walley, chair of the
on construction quality post-Grenfell. Other
has been developed and shaped directly based
Aldersgate Group and former chair of Parliament’s
discussions include the economics of housing;
on industry feedback – ecobuild 2018 is the
Environmental Audit Committee; and Bill Dunster
construction leadership with ideas from young
industry’s event, and we want to ensure that
OBE, principal at ZEDfactory.
professionals and chaired by Oliver Wainwright;
every aspect of it is curated and approved by
behaviour change with Tony Juniper and Lord
industry itself.”
Other topics to be covered include housing, behaviour change, the urgency of tackling
Debden and whether it’s possible to make
resources, and compiling a sustainability report
London carbon neutral by 2050.
for the UK. Discussions from all 16 conference sessions
28
On day two, Jane Duncan, immediate
Resources Institute and the driver behind the
On day three, Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive
is testament to that. “Most importantly, each and every topic
Sue Riddlestone, OBE, chief executive of Bioregional and member of the ecobuild Steering Group, added: “After being so closely involved in
of UK Green Building Council, will chair a
helping to create the Sustainable Development
at the three-day event will be concluded in a
discussion evaluating the sustainability efforts of
Goals that were agreed in 2015, I was very
document as a legacy takeaway.
the UK built environment industry; Rowan Moore
pleased that the conference steering group
Day one will address the UN Sustainable
will chair a discussion on professional ethics and,
agreed unanimously that delivering the goals
Development Goals, New Urban Agenda and
wrapping up the final day, Sue Riddlestone OBE,
should provide the conference focus. The range of
Paris Agreement with speakers including Paula
will chair a discussion on how the UK can make
topics that the conference is tackling will provide
Caballero and John Elkington of Volans. There
its commitment to sustainable construction and
positive inspiration for the industry to contribute
will also be discussions on London’s air pollution,
deliver the UN SDGs at home.
to achieving the task in hand.”
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SPRING 2018