Ecobuild returns on 7-9 March with an overarching theme of regeneration, which will be brought to life through an immersive exhibition and conference programme that will redefine sustainability, identify future growth sectors and tackle the housing crisis.
A powerful line up of major brands and innovators are preparing to showcase their latest products and technologies at the event, including Saint-Gobain, ACO, Mapei, Dyson, Dulux Trade, Recticel, Medite SmartPly, Bauder, BayWa r.e. and Oventrop.
To bring the theme of regeneration to life, this year’s show will see Ecobuild transformed into a ‘city’ – complete with a main street, distinct destinations and special feature attractions. Central to the experience will be Regeneration Drive, a boulevard running through the centre of the exhibition floor, linking different aspects of the show and enabling visitors to experience the very best examples of innovation and creativity from across the built environment.
As visitors make their way up Regeneration Drive, they will be introduced to key destinations including The Arena, City Hall, The Campus, The Gateway, Performance Lab and the Build Circular Theatre.
The Arena will be home to the Ecobuild Conference, sponsored by Regeneration Partner Skanska, and the stage for a range of keynote speeches from industry thought leaders and innovators across the three days. Among these are Lord Kerslake, Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor, Planning Regeneration and Skills, Greater London Authority, and Dr Diana Montgomery, Chief Executive at the Construction Products Association, amongst others.
The extensive conference programme will include topics ranging from the implications of Brexit for the construction sector to the ongoing housing crisis and offsite construction. Julie Hirigoen, CEO for Ecobuild’s Lead Partner the UK-GBC, will host daily sessions on building sustainable homes, retail and workplaces. The Arena is also the location for the live final of Ecobuild’s Big Innovation Pitch with M&S, to find the latest solutions to reduce energy and water usage for the major retailer.
Architectural collective Assemble will present its award-winning Granby Workshop project at The Campus – the show’s destination for innovative thinking and the latest technology. Visitors will be able to view and interact with a unique installation created by Assemble, telling the story behind the collective’s Turner Prize winning regeneration project. Attendees will be also able to interact with Future Materials, a gallery curated by ARCC, previewing next-generation materials and processes currently in either research or testing stage.
The show’s sustainability hub, City Hall, is sponsored by Saint-Gobain and home to the UK-GBC, representing the culmination of Ecobuild’s ‘Redefining Sustainability’ campaign – which seeks to create an industry-wide understanding of sustainability objectives and drives, and a clear direction for the future. Key topics to be covered within the Sustainability seminar programme include carbon reduction in the built environment, explored in a session by the UK-GBC, as well as possible approaches to deliver a low carbon city or neighbourhood.
The Build Circular Theatre is sponsored by BSI, and will seek to amplify practical and viable opportunities for transitioning to a resource efficient economy, to increase competitiveness and reduce resource dependency and waste.
The Gateway offers two focused areas: national and community-level infrastructure projects with ICE, and a separate seminar theatre dedicated to Green Infrastructure, sponsored by ACO and ranging from community green spaces to flooding. Meanwhile, The Performance Lab, sponsored by BayWa r.e., will cover the latest in energy efficiency and building performance in association with Ecobuild’s Building Performance Partner CIBSE – the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers.
In response to the increased Government and industry focus on offsite construction, Ecobuild has partnered with Cogent Consulting and Radar Communications to bring Explore Offsite to Ecobuild, within a dedicated area with leading suppliers and offsite technology masterclasses. Exhibitors prepared to showcase their products and technologies include Hadley Group, Portakabin, SIG Offsite and Wernick.
Ecobuild will also give visitors the chance to access a showcase on district energy, thanks to an exclusive partnership with the UK District Energy Association (ukDEA). The ukDEA District Energy Town Square will act as a focal point for visitors who want to learn more about the advantages of local heating and cooling networks. An impressive line-up of exhibitors will be at the show, including ACO, Hitachi and EnviroVent.
With such a wide variety of exhibitors and partners, this year’s show will provide the industry with the perfect platform to collaborate and address the key issues of sustainability and its role in shaping regeneration.
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