Ecobuild is a barometer of the ‘greening’ of UK construction. The combined conference and exhibition, focusing on sustainable building products, materials and services, launched in 2005. On its debut the seminars and presentations were the real focus. The small associated trade show had just 40 stands. Last year the event underwent a seismic shift. It switched to the Earls Court 2 exhibition centre and, with sister events Futurebuild and Regenex held alongside, hit 200 stands and 6,200 visitors. The latter included architects, builders, developers and local authority, housing association and regeneration agency representatives.
This year the event steps up again, setting itself a target of more than 300 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors and adding an extra day – running from February 27 to March 1. The conference programme expands too and the event has an even broader remit. In addition to Futurebuild, which covers offsite and other modern methods of construction, and Regenex, the “urban renewal” event, two more conferences and associated exhibitions take place alongside. Cityscape’s theme is urban design and development, while Building for Health focuses on healthcare facility construction.
“The growth of the show is down to having the right product, in the right place at the right time,” said David Wood, managing director of organiser IBE. “This is the direction the building sector is headed: sustainability and modern methods of construction.”
Speakers
Underlining the growing reputation of the Ecobuild event ‘family’, and the importance government is attaching to sustainable development, housing minister Yvette Cooper is pencilled in for the keynote speech for Futurebuild. Ian Pearson, minister of state for climate change and the environment, will kick off Ecobuild itself.
The line-up of speakers for the conferences and seminars also reflects Ecobuild’s rising star. It includes Peter Muir, Stephen Stone and Tom Dacey, respectively chief executives of developers Avebury and Crest Nicholson and the Southern Housing Group housing association.
The wood and timber-based building sectors are also represented in the conference programme. TRADA will lead the seminar “Building Sustainably with Timber”, with contributions from Finnforest and Wood for Good.
Futurebuild includes a seminar on timber technology and offsite construction, with presentations from UK Timber Frame Association chief executive Bryan Woodley, Joe Martoccia of Potton Homes, Stewart Dalgarno of Stewart Milne Timber Systems and representatives of Oregon Timber Frame and Finnforest.
Bryan Woodley, who described Ecobuild’s growth as “amazing”, said the UKTFA would highlight how timber frame can help builders meet environmental targets. “Volume housebuilders can achieve low carbon housing now using current timber building technology,” he said.
In the Futurebuild conference Martin Stebenne of timber frame specialist BSW Alouette Timber Systems will present on “Timber – the house as a system”, while Dr Michael Benfield of timber frame house producer Benfield ATT will look at “Regulating for Sustainability”.
Mr Stebenne sees Ecobuild and its sister conferences having an increasing impact in the construction sector. “Builders are increasingly looking for pre-manufactured solutions and we’re also receiving a growing number of enquiries on how our system can help meet Building Regulations Part L [on insulation].”
Timber exhibits
Timber and timber frame companies and associated businesses will be among the exhibitors too, accounting for 45 stands. Arnold Laver, UltraJoist, engineered wood products supplier Inwood Developments, TRADA, Arch Timber Protection and timber frame suppliers Eco-Tech and Super E will all be at Ecobuild.
“[The event] has the ideal visitor profile for Arch and, as timber is the most environmentally sustainable construction material, it delivers all the right messages,” said Arch marketing services manager David Law.
“Timber has come of age as a modern construction material and Ecobuild is the perfect venue for us to promote not only UltraJoist but our commitment to the principles of timber in construction and FSC-certification,” said Glenalmond managing director Fraser Steele.
Timber frame specialists at Futurebuild will include Pinewood Structures, Pace Group, Kingspan Century, Wave Homes, Stewart Milne Timber Systems, Guildford Timber Frame, Covers Timber Structures, Frame UK, Eleco Timber Frame and BSW Alouette, which will also be highlighting its use of windows made in Accoya acetylised modified wood. The UKFTA will also have a stand, along with wood composite decking supplier Timber Tech. Other exhibitors will include structural insulated panel producer Hemsec, timber panel and insulation manufacturer Excel and timber frame and joinery design systems specialist Eleco Software. The latter’s managing director Jason Ruddle will also give a presentation – “From design, to manufacture, to site”.
David Wood urges timber traders to turn up as visitors too. “It will be a valuable experience for anyone involved with the construction sector, if only to take the market temperature.”
