Ecobuild 2017 – regeneration is the name of the game
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Ecobuild returns in March (7-9) 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.
The leading show for built environment professionals, Ecobuild 2017 will see ExCeL London 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.
Martin Hurn, brand director at Ecobuild, explained: “For 2017, we’re completely overhauling and innovating the Ecobuild experience. We asked our visitors what they want and need from the show, and sustainability overwhelmingly came to the top of the agenda. To deliver this, we’ve ripped up the floorplan and reinvented Ecobuild as an immersive city centred around Regeneration Drive.
“Imagining the exhibition as a city allows us to deliver a unique programme focused on regeneration, in a way that is relevant and inclusive to all our exhibitors and visitors. Different aspects of construction and the built environment deserve specific focus, and each of Ecobuild 2017’s destinations will have something distinct and exciting to offer.”
As visitors make their way up Regeneration Drive, they will be introduced to key destinations including The Arena, City Hall, The Campus, The Gateway and The Performance Lab.
The Arena will be home to the Ecobuild Conference, with headline guest speakers, staging a range of keynote speeches from industry thought leaders and innovators across the three days. As part of the programme, UK-GBC will host daily leadership panels chaired by the organisation’s CEO, Julie Hirigoyen.
The show’s sustainability hub, City Hall, will be home to the UK-GBC and World Green Building Council, 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.
Architectural collective Assemble will also 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 Gateway is where visitors can explore national and social infrastructure projects in partnership with ICE, as well as a separate seminar theatre dedicated to Green Infrastructure.
In response to the increased Government and industry focus on offsite construction, Ecobuild has also partnered with Explore Offsite to bring a significant showcase of the exciting opportunities offered by offsite technology in the future of construction, with the industry’s leading suppliers and a series of daily masterclasses.
Another new partnership sees Ecobuild and UK District Energy Association creating a new and exciting area – the ukDEA District Energy Town Square, host to leading British suppliers and also international pavilions from Sweden and Denmark, two of the most mature district energy markets in the world. The ukDEA District Energy Town Square will be located adjacent to Ecobuild’s Performance Lab.
Day one of the Ecobuild Conference will focus on future-proofing building and construction. Key topics will include the housing crisis and the future of offsite construction, while Ecobuild’s Big Innovation Pitch reaches its climax with finalists presenting solutions to M&S and a panel of industry judges.
The second day will see industry leaders debate solutions to the housing crisis, featuring a panel including Jules Pipe, deputy mayor, planning regeneration and skills, Greater London Authority, and Ben Derbyshire, partner HTA Design and RIBA president-elect, amongst other sector experts. Broadcaster Will Gompertz will also interview Niall McLaughlin of Niall McLaughlin Architects, recent RIBA Charles Jencks winner.
Amongst other topics, Day 3 will include the implications of Brexit for UK construction and considering the wellbeing of future generations when planning.
Although more than two thirds of professionals in the built environment identify sustainability as the industry topic of greatest interest to them, the actual meaning of the term is constantly developing. Ecobuild’s Redefining Sustainability campaign has been developed to drive discussions about and ultimately create a universally accepted understanding of sustainability that is appealing, engaging and most importantly, accessible to all.
Ecobuild has announced key collaborations with lead partner UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), World GBC, RIBA, BRE, the Construction Products Association, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), CIAT and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE). Additionally, pavilions will be showcased from associations including the Builders Merchants Federation, Passivhaus Trust, NFRC, Concrete Pavilion, TRADA and the STA.
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 regeneration and its role in shaping sustainability.
Free registration is now open for visitors. For more information on this year’s event, exhibitors and conference topics, visit www.ecobuild.co.uk.