Construction sector audience returns for physical Futurebuild show

As well as companies presenting their products on stand, some 350 speakers shared in seminar theatres about how the built environment can go beyond net zero. 

Across the three days, sustainability pioneers, such as Professor Peter Guthrie OBE, Sue Riddlestone OBE and Robin Nicholson CBE, demonstrated how net zero ambition could be turned into action. 

It was the first Futurebuild show since the 2020 event was held just before the pandemic started.

Companies involved in the forest products sector exhibiting included James Latham, Accoya, Honext, Rhino Wood, Pfeifer Holz and Kiss House.

James Latham’s innovative stand featured sections from a Kiss House residential construction system. Visitors could explore the space in their own time, with the area doubling as a seminar space.

Experts were also on hand to outline the latest sustainable developments in timber and surfacing. The panel of specialists included manufacturers Accsys Technologies and WISA along with Kiss House designers.

The stand was declared the winner of the sustainable stand award at the event. 

“At the event we wanted to showcase real structures from real houses”, explained Mike Jacob, co-founder and director of Kiss House. 

“In this project we’ve taken timber and fed it into a precise manufacturing process to create accurate, high-quality components. After Futurebuild we’ll temporarily store these structures in our facility before using them in Reading’s first ever Passivhaus development.” 

James Latham also showcased its innovative carbon impact calculator, featuring both carbon footprint and biogenic carbon content for products on key James Latham documentation such as quotations, delivery notes and invoices, meaning users can fully understand the carbon impact of the products they choose.

Lee Rowley, Minister for Business and Industry attended the event to showcase the importance of collaboration between the government and industry as we move towards a net zero future. 

Futurebuild’s Climate Action Gallery, sponsored by James Latham, showcased some of the roadmaps and guidance that industry leaders have created in response to the climate emergency.

The Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA), for example, presented on its 2030 Climate Challenge — voluntary performance targets to reduce energy use, water consumption and embodied carbon. 

The Climate Action Gallery also featured guidance from associations such as the Institute of Civil Engineers, The Edge, Bioregional, Considerate Contractors Scheme, Landscape Institute, ACAN, CIBSE, Active Building Centre, Zero Construct, UKGBC, CIC and IStructE.

“Exhibitors and speakers across the show floor outlined that we have little time to act on climate change,” explained Martin Hurn, event director of Futurebuild. “Collaboration is vital if we are to reach net zero. Futurebuild exists to bring people from across the built environment, from young disruptors such as Thermulon, to established brands such as Viessman, together to tackle the challenges the industry faces together.

“Over the three days we’ve seen the breadth of innovation happening in the sector, given industry experts a platform to share best practice and showcased the latest game-changing products. Now it’s time to take what we’ve learnt from the show and turn it into action to meet net zero.”