Futurebuild 2023, the event dedicated to building a better future for the built environment, calls a wrap on its exciting annual industry event held from 7-9 March
Trailblazers from across the entire built environment came together to take a stand through innovation, knowledge-sharing and networking.
Across the three days, Futurebuild 2023 hosted over 17,800 visitors, 500 speakers, 400 exhibitors, 135 sessions and 90 curators to join forces in creating a more sustainable future.
With sustainability a more relevant topic than ever, Futurebuild’s expansive exhibition was specially curated to drive change across the entire supply chain by showcasing the best in innovative bioproducts and sustainable solutions throughout the whole event.
Futurebuild 2023 celebrated innovation through its established Big Innovation Pitch, which saw tepeo’s ZEB win the grand prize this year and Futurebuild’s new Big Ideas Pitch, which crowned start-up Firstplanit the inaugural winner.
A showcase that truly makes a difference
In addition to celebrating innovation in sustainable products, Futurebuild 2023 wanted to offer solutions that create a quantifiable, positive impact on the environment.
As many products claim to be sustainable, Futurebuild placed emphasis on providing accurate factual reporting about the green credentials of its offerings.
One of Futurebuild’s speakers, Dr Tom Woolley, architect and environmental researcher, author of Natural Building Materials, Health & Indoor Air Quality, and chair of the UK Clean Air Steering Committee, observed: “There were enough really green stands there to make it worthwhile and not too much greenwashing!”
Futurebuild 2023 showcased future builds, micro homes and more
The exhibition showcased groundbreaking feature builds, including the truly innovative ZEDPower Micro Home, a flatpack, self-build and zero-bills eco-home that requires only a rubber mallet and a drill to assemble.
Bill Dunster OBE, founder of ZEDfactory, remarked on the value Futurebuild offers: “Futurebuild is the best possible platform to launch a big idea – and has a value to society way beyond any conventional trade show.”
Making macro debates centre stage
Across the three days, Futurebuild’s renowned seminar programme covered key themes delivered by industry partners from a wide range of disciplines who are passionate about instigating change. Likewise, Futurebuild’s conference put the industry’s most pressing problems at the forefront of the sustainability conversation, helping to spark debate and formulate solutions to problems.
Futurebuild’s organisers were overwhelmed by the turnout, and attendees displayed genuine enthusiasm and actively participated in the question-and-answer sessions, leading to some great debates. Throughout the three-day event, seminars proved so popular that many sessions had standing-room only.
On the main Conference Arena, each day began with a rousing keynote address from an expert industry speaker to help define the theme of the day. Sarwjit Sambhit, chief executive officer of St Modwen, a Blackstone portfolio company, kicked off day one’s theme of “Looking Forward”.
Sarwjit discussed the importance of technological innovation in engineering and the wider built environment industry, remarking how every business in the sector has the opportunity to make a difference going forward.
Driving change in the construction industry
After the first day set the scene for an optimistic outlook for the built environment industry, day two focused on how professionals can drive “Change” in the sector.
Day two opened with an eye-opening keynote address by Pascal Smet, secretary of state, Brussels – Capital Region, who discussed circular construction and its positive impacts. Brussels is considered to be Europe’s laboratory for sustainable construction, and the Belgian capital is making circularity the new normal.
After outlining ideas for change, day three focused on “Taking Action”. Trudy Harrison MP, parliamentary undersecretary of state in the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, gave the ministerial keynote address, stating that the time is now to make a change.
Commenting on the event, Trudy said: “Futurebuild really focuses on sustainability, innovation and bringing people together. It’s absolutely critical.”
Staying true to its roots, sustainability and innovation run through every aspect of the show. It saw the team launch the Walk the Talk campaign, which led to a significant reduction in the event’s carbon footprint. Removing the aisle carpet alone (just one of the changes) reduced the event’s carbon emissions by 27,707kg.
Stay tuned for more on the future of the built environment
Futurebuild 2023 ended in the same way it began, with an optimistic outlook for the future of the built environment. Visitors left with renewed excitement and new knowledge of sustainable solutions and innovations in the sector. Although the annual live event is over, Futurebuild works on providing content all year round, with the full programme available on demand in the coming weeks.
Having received insightful feedback from visitors on what they would like to see at Futurebuild 2024, the team is inspired to cover an even greater range of topics next year to again engage and challenge the industry to build better.
Save the date, 5-7 March 2024 – don’t miss out on next year’s show.
Futurebuild
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