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FUTUREBUILD ARENA PROGRAMME 2025

CHALLENGES INDUSTRY TO LEAD ON CLIMATE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

 

Celebrating two decades of supporting positive change in the built environment, Futurebuild 2025 will be focusing on the theme of “impact”, with the Futurebuild Arena programme asking us all to question: Where are we today? Are we making the progress we need? What must we now do?

 

The Futurebuild Arena

Curated by The Edge and sponsored by heat pump experts Mitsubishi Electric, the CPD-accredited Futurebuild Arena sessions will explore how all who work in the built and natural environments can make an impact to achieve net zero. Central to this is how to achieve a vibrant circular economy that works within planetary boundaries, how to achieve social justice and fair use of resources.

Bringing together a distinguished line-up of industry leaders, each session will examine the decisive actions that are now needed with no more delays.

Day 1 – Putting Circularity And Reuse At The Heart Of Living And Working

The opening day sets the stage with strategies and real-world examples of embedding circularity in the built environment. Leading experts include:

  • Tina Paillet, Past President of RICS and Co-founder of Circotrade will chair a debate on making the circular economy a reality.
  • Sophie Thomas, Founding Partner and Chief Technology Officer, etsaW Venture, explores innovative material reuse.
  • Duncan Baker-Brown, Practicing Architect, Academic, Environmental Activist and long-term advocate for the circular economy, will explain why designers can put circularity and reuse at the heart of what we do.
  • Rachel Sayers, Partner, FCB Studios will look at real-world challenges and solutions for driving impactful change

Day 2: Sustainability, Social Justice, and Transition

The second day reminds us of global commitments and national challenges. Highlights include:

  • Baroness Young of Old Scone will Chair a debate on why we need a land use framework with Dani Arribas-Bel, Alan Turing Institute, Maya Singer, IPPR, Stephen King, London Councils and Stephen Hill of C2O futureplanners.
  • Cressida Curtis, Group Sustainability Director at Wates, Saul Humphrey, Vice President, Chartered Institute of Building and Will Arnold, Institute of Structural Engineers will assess progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals to be delivered by 2030 in a discussion chaired by Sue Riddletone, Bioregional.
  • Richard Simmons, Visiting Professor, UCL, Yolande Barnes, Professor of Real Estate, UCL,  Flora Samuel, Professor of Architecture, University of Cambridge and Alan Law, Chief Strategy Officer, Natural England follow a keynote by Housing Minister, Baroness Taylor to explore how we can tackle the polycrisis by fixing housing, climate, nature and health at the same time.

Day 3: Making It Happen

The final day promises to empower attendees with insights and actionable steps to implement sustainable solutions, featuring:

  • David Partridge, Chairman, NZCBS and Related Argent and Jess Hrivnak, RIBA, each chair a session on the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard on which much expectation for really achieving net zero rests.
  • Lord Matthew Taylor with  Hugh Ellis, Director of Policy, Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA), Jackie Sadek, Chair, UK Innovation Corridor, Clare Warburton, Natural England, Judith Sykes, Useful Simple Trust and Expedition, examine what the New Towns Taskforce should consider to deliver the best outcomes.
  • Smith Mordak, UKGBC with James Low, Global Head of Responsible Business, Mace,  Polly Turton, Head of Climate Action and Public Health at Love Design Studio/Shade the UK and Anusha Shah, Senior Director, Resilient Cities and UK Climate Adaptation Lead – Arcadis, Immediate Past President ICE, Tadj Oreszczyn, Energy Institute and Dr Emily Nurse, Head of Net Zero,Climate Change Committee, will look back and look forward to consider if we are doing enough.

The full programme can be found here with speaker details and biographies.

 

“As a global leader in sustainable technology, Mitsubishi Electric is delighted to sponsor the Futurebuild Arena Programme 2025. The conference aligns with our commitment to driving innovation and building meaningful collaboration,” said Rachel Lekman of Mitsubishi Electric UK. “The built environment has a crucial role in addressing climate change and social justice, and by bringing together thought leaders and industry experts, the Futurebuild Arena will empower all of us to take bold, actionable steps towards a resilient, inclusive and sustainable future.”

 

Futurebuild 2025 offers professionals the chance to hear from leading voices, gain considered insights, and help drive the change our industry urgently needs.  The aim of the conference is that attendees should leave feeling more empowered and inspired to make changes to support the environment in their own work.

 

Martin Hurn, Event Director at Futurebuild, eagerly anticipates the event:

“The launch of the Futurebuild Arena Programme marks a pivotal moment as we celebrate 20 years of driving sustainability in the built environment. This year’s sessions will challenge us all to confront the urgency of the climate crisis and explore bold, actionable solutions that will have a real, tangible impact. With just five years until 2030, the time for decisive action is now.”

 

Don’t miss out on Futurebuild 2025 – the platform for knowledge, solutions and inspiration. Whether exploring decarbonisation strategies, tackling affordability challenges, or engaging with future-ready materials, join us and be part of the change.


Join the movement and make your impact – Register here.

 

 

 


 

 

Ideal Heating has announced an expansion of its Expert Academy On-Demand platform, with the launch of new digital training courses.

These new courses include comprehensive product training for both the Ideal Logic Air and HP290 air source heat pumps. Each course delivers detailed, step-by-step guidance on installation, commissioning and controls. With their modular format, installers can either complete the full training series or access specific chapters as an on-site reference guide.

Complementing the product training, Expert Academy has also launched a new introductory F-Gas course. Through a series of concise videos, this course covers essential aspects of F-Gas regulations, available training pathways and qualification options, as well as key processes and tools specific to heat pump installation and maintenance.

This expanded training content underlines Ideal Heating’s commitment to leading the UK’s transition to low carbon heating solutions.

The expansion follows the recent success of Ideal’s Expert Academy training arm in its first Ofsted inspection, which highlighted its excellence in delivering comprehensive heat pump installation training and preparing installers for the growing demands of renewable heating technology.

Each course has been specifically designed to provide installers with practical knowledge through bite-sized, accessible modules, completely free of charge.

It means installers have more flexibility and choice, than ever before, to gain new skills and learn in a way that fits around their diaries.

The new digital courses are the latest additions to the industry-leading provision offered by Expert Academy, Ideal Heating’s training arm.

Andrew Johnson, Training Director at Ideal Heating, said:

“This latest expansion of our Expert Academy On-Demand platform represents another step in our commitment to supporting heating installers.

“We’re investing significantly in training and development to ensure installers have the skills for both today and for the UK’s net-zero future.

“Our digital platform makes this vital knowledge accessible to everyone, whether they’re new to the industry or experienced engineers looking to expand into renewable technologies.

“By combining the new F-Gas overview course with our existing Introduction to Air Source Heat Pumps programme, we’re creating a comprehensive pathway for installers to confidently enter the heat pump market.”

The three new courses launched by Expert Academy On-Demand are:

  • An overview to F-Gas
  • Logic Air Product Training
  • HP290 Product Training

This latest development builds upon the successful launch of the Introduction to Air Source Heat Pumps course in September 2024.

The foundational course, developed in partnership with BPEC, has already helped numerous installers begin their journey into renewable heating technology through 11 comprehensive modules, covering everything from refrigerant operation to electrical considerations.

The new digital courses are part of a broader collection being developed by Expert Academy, with further releases planned throughout 2025.

The expanded digital training provision also builds on a landmark year in 2024 for Expert Academy, which saw several significant milestones, including:

  • Training over 3,000 installers through in-person courses, with an exceptional 94% satisfaction rate of five out of five.
  • Expanding its UK-wide training locations to more than 30 facilities, including 12 new centres opened in 2024.
  • Winning multiple industry accolades, including the prestigious BESA Training Provider of the Year award.

The digital provision complements in-person courses delivered at Ideal Heating’s training centres, including its state-of-the-art facilities in Hessle, East Yorkshire, and Dunstable, near Luton.

Expert Academy also has a growing network of satellite and partner centres located across the UK, as it takes its best-in-class training offering to the doorstep of installers everywhere.


You can access the Expert Academy On-Demand platform by CLICKING HERE

 


 

(L-R): City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing,
Councillor Steve Evans, and Morro Partnerships Managing Director, Tom Broadway at the Magic Gardens site in Bushbury
The first new council homes are springing out of the ground at two small derelict brownfield sites in Wolverhampton.

City of Wolverhampton Council appointed contractor Morro Partnerships Limited to build 8 bungalows at the ‘Magic Gardens’ site off Sandmere Rise in Bushbury and 11 houses on Ettingshall Road in Bilston.

The new ‘A’ Rated, gas free homes with solar panels, are being constructed using sustainable building methods and, following 3 months of ground works, the timber frames are now being installed at both sites.

The carbon footprint of a timber frame is less than traditional structures, and this modern method of construction also helps to reduce energy consumption, helping to keep residents’ bills to a minimum.

The council’s housing development team is leading the project, and all the homes will be available for affordable rent, with construction across both sites expected to be complete by summer 2025.

The 8 bungalows and 11 houses form part of the latest phase of new council homes coming forward across the city, with development works underway or set to start in the coming months on 81 properties across 6 sites.

‘Magic Gardens’ was historically used for organised recreational community activities but has been unused since around 2011.

The development of 7 two-bedroom houses, 2 three-bedroom houses and 2 four-bedroom houses at Ettingshall Road will bring back into use land that has been blighted by fly tipping in recent years.

Councillor Steve Evans, the council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, said:

“One of our key priorities is to increase the number of good homes in well connected neighbourhoods across the city.

“Works are progressing well at both sites and will deliver a variety of housing types for our council homes portfolio.

“It is also another example of the council’s brownfield land first strategy bringing small disused sites back into use for the benefit of our residents and communities.

“Sustainability in build and fostering thriving communities is important to us, so our collaboration with Morro Partnerships assures both us and our future residents that their homes are future proofed in a great location.”

Tom Broadway, Managing Director at Morro Partnerships, said:

“We’re pleased to have made such great progress on these much needed homes, and to be contributing towards the increased demand for affordable housing across the city.

“Sustainability is a key part of our pledges to be better community makers and better environment makers, and to be helping to make housing more affordable, accessible and equipped for the future is rewarding.

“We’re looking forward to completing construction at these two important developments and watching them blossom into thriving communities.”

The developments will be supported by Homes England grants totalling a £1,315,000.

Source: Wolverhampton Council

COBOD’s BOD2 3D construction printer was used to complete the first 3D-printed social housing project in just 132 days. Located in Dublin, Ireland, ‘Grange Close’ is a three-unit terraced social housing project with a total floor space of 330 m2 (3,552 ft2), consisting of 3 apartments spanning 110 m2 (1,184 ft2) each.

Completed in just 132 working days, including the initial site preparation to the handover of keys. When compared to the 203 days typically required for traditional construction methods, this represents a 35% reduction in build time, with approximately 50% of the time savings coming directly from 3D printing the wall system alone.

“HTL.tech is extremely proud to be the first company in Europe to build a structure that complies with the rigorous new I.S. EN ISO/ASTM 52939:2023 additive manufacturing standard, representing a significant advancement in additive construction. The COBOD BOD2 3D printer was crucial in this accomplishment, enabling us to complete the Grange Close Social Housing Scheme 35% faster than traditional methods. The BOD2 printer’s precision and efficiency, combined with complementary Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) technologies, allowed us to establish new industry standards and offer an effective means to produce high-quality, sustainable housing at an accelerated rate,” said Justin Kinsella, Director of HTl.tech.

 

Source: TechEblog

Award-winning developer bringing new homes to Seaton this Spring

  • 99 new homes to launch in the west Cumbrian village of Seaton in the coming months
  • Work will start just weeks after Genesis Homes commences on its 90-home development in Carlisle

Just weeks after a 90-home development in Carlisle was given the go-ahead, an established Cumbrian housebuilder is set to build a further 99 new homes.

Genesis Homes has announced it will forge ahead with plans to build close to 100 homes at its Derwent Rise development in the west Cumbrian village of Seaton in the coming months.

The development will be another major milestone for the local homebuilder after it revealed 90 new homes will be constructed at its Sandsfield Way development off Orton Road, Carlisle, starting in February.

Derwent Rise will comprise of 99 houses featuring a range of 2-bedroom to 5-bedroom properties as well as two-bedroom bungalows and is located in the centre of Seaton. There will be 18 homes allocated as affordable housing for local residents.

John Blue, Genesis Homes’ Land and Sales Director, said: “It’s an extremely exciting time for Genesis Homes as we launch brand new housing developments across Cumbria and Lancashire, and the beginning of 2025 marks a busy time as we start work on developments totalling close to 300 new homes.

“Our aim is to build high-quality homes in the most desirable locations across the North West and Derwent Rise is testament to that, boasting a coastal setting whilst also having the Lake District National Park on its doorstep.

“With great links to these areas and easy access to the A595, Whitehaven and Carlisle, there is something for everyone and we can’t wait to provide wonderful new homes in this area.”

As part of the Derwent Rise project, Genesis Homes will fund significant drainage infrastructure works to alleviate flooding risks in Seaton.

An attenuation pond will be created to provide extra drainage capacity in the village, as well as serving the development.

John said:

“Derwent Rise has been sensitively designed to complement the amazing character of this great village, and we are pleased to be providing new homes where there is a demand from local residents.”

Next-generation pattern book will help deliver more sustainable and affordable homes across Wales

Tai ar y Cyd, a collaboration of 23 Welsh social landlords, have produced a groundbreaking pattern book that will help make building homes in Wales more sustainable, energy efficient and cost effective.

It includes layouts for 15 house types and 18 variants ranging from 1-bedroom flats and 4-bedroom houses to fully wheelchair accessible bungalows and flats.

The benefits of the new pattern book include higher quality homes, economic regeneration, faster construction, use of low-carbon materials, cost certainty, reduced waste, and less disruption to communities.

A design guide is also being launched to support design teams using the pattern book with designing high quality developments that complement the local area and context.

The new homes will utilise natural materials, including timber sourced increasingly from Welsh forests and manufactured in Welsh factories where possible.

The homes are also designed to meet both Welsh Development Quality Requirements and Welsh Housing Quality Standards.

This approach ensures that investment in new homes contributes to local economic regeneration by supporting local businesses and creating green jobs and training opportunities.

The pattern book and design guide will be officially unveiled on 15 January at University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea campus.

Ahead of the launch, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, visited Celtic Offsite in Caerphilly, a social enterprise within the United Welsh Group that manufactures timber homes from their factory.

The Cabinet Secretary said:

“Tai ar y Cyd represents a significant step forward in our commitment to building sustainable and affordable homes here in Wales.

“We know that there is a real need for good quality and energy efficient homes across our communities and this innovative pattern book give developers the tools they need to build homes more quickly and deliver against our target of building 20,000 affordable low-carbon homes by the end of this Senedd term.

“I am proud that we have been able to support the delivery of these resources to support our local economies, grow the number of skilled jobs across Wales and increase the number of affordable homes.”

Richard Mann, Group Chief Executive of United Welsh said:

“We were delighted to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to our timber frame factory, Celtic Offsite.

“The standardised housing designs from Tai ar y Cyd will enable us to be more efficient in our manufacturing processes, so we can build more homes at a faster rate for housing association and local authority partners.

“We look forward to using the designs to build more much-needed homes for people to enjoy across Wales.”


The launch of Tai ar y Cyd is happening on 15th January in Swansea. Tai ar y Cyd – Delivering Net Zero Project Launch Tickets, Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 9:45 AM | Eventbrite

 

Siderise has successfully completed the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) assessment process for its RH Horizontal and RV Vertical Cavity Barrier for cladding applications, and CT Cavity Tray and EW Cavity Barrier and Firestop for masonry external wall systems. With approval already gained for its CW-FS Firestop range for curtain walling earlier in the year, this means all the company’s main passive fire protection ranges now carry this best-practice mark, providing greater confidence that the information surrounding them is “clear, accurate, up-to-date, accessible and unambiguous.”

To gain a CCPI mark, companies are subject to a rigorous and independent assessment process, which includes assessing that the leadership and business culture aligns with the ethos of the CCPI, as well as providing information and clear evidence of conformance to each of the Code’s applicable eleven clauses. In line with its long-term commitment to ‘integrity in all we do’, achieving CCPI conformance for these core product ranges is just one part of the Siderise’s wider strategy to support accurate specification and a safer built environment. Siderise Technical Director, Lee Nichols, explained:

“Following the introduction of the Building Safety Act and particularly of Gateway 2 for higher-risk buildings (HRBs), we understand that specifiers— whether they are architects, fire engineers or contractors— must feel confident in the information they are using to make decisions and be able to access robust and assessed product data in the format they need. We have aligned getting the CCPI mark for our core products with developing a more holistic specification support package, including creating Specification Packs that summarise the relevant product information for the designated application, and building our partnership with the NBS.”

“By having our core product ranges assessed by the Code, we have not only made a commitment to continuous improvement as the product set remains registered with the CCPI, but we hope to  communicate to our customers that we are actively responding to the challenges they face when it comes to product information —helping the industry to raise its collective understanding of the crucial importance of fire safety and fire testing. ”


CLICK HERE

For more information about Siderise and to explore its product data


 

Lendlease and Atlas Holdings have announced they have entered into a binding agreement for the sale of Lendlease’s UK Construction business.

Under the terms of the agreement, Atlas will acquire Lendlease’s construction business and its operations including existing employees and leadership team, ensuring a seamless handover for clients and business partners.

Founded in 2002, Atlas and its affiliates own and operate 26 platform companies which employee more than 50,000 associates across 350 facilities worldwide. The firm’s businesses together generate revenues of approximately US$16 billion annually.

Atlas possesses operational expertise in the construction and manufacturing sectors; and its companies are engaged in a variety of industries including metals, wire and cable, automotive supply, building materials, construction, power generation, food production, industrial machinery and services, packaging, printing, pulp, paper and tissue.

Lendlease Group CEO Tony Lombardo said:

“This transaction builds on our progress to simplify Lendlease as we look to lower our risk profile and increase securityholder returns. It also represents a positive outcome for our talented people and our valued customers and clients, marking a new chapter under the ownership of Atlas.”

 

Peter Bacon, Atlas Operating Partner, said:

“We are excited to acquire one of the UK’s leading construction companies, which has a long track record of successfully delivering large complex projects for both private and public sector clients. We look forward to working with David Cadiot and his team continuing to build the business.”

Lendlease’s UK Construction business was founded in 1885 as Bovis Construction and acquired by Lendlease in 1999. The company has been involved in some of the UK and Europe’s most iconic construction projects including the rebuilding works of Regents Street in 1923, Lloyds of London’s City Head Quarters in 1980, the first phase of Canary Wharf in 1991 and 8 Bishopsgate in the City of London to name but a few.

Completion of the transaction is subject to conditions precedent including regulatory approvals, with completion targeted before the end of the Australian financial year in June 2025. Key contract terms remain commercial in confidence until completion of the deal.

 

Source: Lendlease

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £1 billion contract for the delivery of modern and sustainable accommodation across the Defence Estate under the Single Living Accommodation-Programmatic Approach (SLA-PA) Framework Alliance Contract (FAC).

The initiative aims to replace sub-standard living quarters with more efficient, high-quality accommodations for members of the Armed Forces.

The SLA-PA programme will see improvements, upgrades, and replacements of accommodation facilities across all four Front Line Commands (FLCs). The contract, which runs from 28 November 2024 to 30 November 2027, focuses on using modern construction methods, including off-site fabrication, to ensure rapid, sustainable delivery while offering value for money to taxpayers.

Under this agreement, six supply chain partners—Bowmer & Kirkland, the Kier McAvoy Consortium, the Kier Metek Consortium, Laing O’Rourke Explore, and Reds10—have been appointed to work collaboratively on the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) SLA pipeline programme. The partners will be responsible for delivering the project through a Framework Alliance Contract (FAC-1), ensuring that improvements are achieved efficiently and effectively across the UK estate.

The project is part of a broader effort by the MOD to address legacy issues in planning, procurement, and siloed delivery of Single Living Accommodation (SLA), creating a more cohesive and effective approach for capital investments in the UK’s Defence infrastructure.

The SLA-PA programme represents a priority initiative for the MOD, and its success will hinge on the ongoing collaboration between industry partners and the MOD. By delivering modern, modular accommodation, the project will improve the lived experience of service personnel and enhance the resilience of the UK’s Defence sector.

The contract was awarded following a competitive procurement process in line with the Crown Commercial Service’s Offsite Construction Solutions Framework Agreement (RM6184), which ensures the delivery of cost-effective, high-quality accommodation solutions.

Key Details of the SLA-PA Contract:

  • Contract Value: £1 billion
  • Contract Duration: 28 November 2024 – 30 November 2027
  • Procurement Reference: 709304450 – CCS OCS-33671-2024
  • Contract Type: Works (Modular Buildings and Multi-dwelling Construction)

This major contract is expected to significantly enhance the living conditions for UK service members, contributing to the MOD’s long-term strategy to modernise its estate.

 

Source: UK Defence Journal

Enhancing Sound Insulation Of Double Leaf Walls With New Stud Types

A novel analytical model reveals the superior acoustic advantages of acoustical and steel studs over traditional wooden configurations.

A new analytical model has unveiled significant insights on the sound insulation performance of lightweight double leaf walls, particularly emphasizing the role of various stud types. This research draws attention to the challenges inherent in predicting sound transmission loss (STL) due to complex structural configurations, providing architects with valuable tools for optimizing acoustic environments.

Double leaf wall structures are prevalent in the construction of modern buildings, such as hotels, open offices, and residential complexes. While their lightweight nature and ease of assembly make them appealing, their sound insulation capabilities have often fallen short of required standards. This study, led by researchers from China, introduces innovative methodologies for evaluating and enhancing the acoustic performance of these walls.

One of the principal findings of this research is the sound bridge effect, which occurs when varying stud types introduce mechanical connections between wall leaves, thereby enabling vibration energy transfer. The analysis demonstrates how traditional wooden studs contribute more significantly to this effect compared to lighter steel studs. Notably, the researchers advocate for using acoustical studs equipped with rubber sound isolation inserts to achieve superior sound insulation performance.

The innovative analytical model allows for rapid predictions of STL for commonly used double leaf wall configurations, including those incorporating wooden, steel, and acoustical studs. This model enhances practicality for architects and builders by streamlining sound insulation evaluations and facilitating informed design choices. Previous methods primarily focused on rigid configurations, lacking comprehensive comparisons across stud types, particularly newer, more flexible configurations.

The research systematically evaluates various double leaf walls’ airborne sound transmission characteristics, offering empirical data derived from rigorous analytical methods. Key findings indicate substantial differences between configurations, highlighting the effectiveness of acoustical studs over wooden and standard steel variants. Specifically, it was found, “We propose using acoustical studs with rubber sound isolation inserts, which achieves high-level sound insulation performance,” showcasing how optimized stud designs can significantly improve acoustic separation between wall leaves.

Parametric studies within the research focused on variables such as stud spacing and wall dimensions, determining their effect on STL within specific frequency ranges. It was observed, for example, reduced stud spacing led to improved stiffness and overall insulation, making smaller stud arrangements preferable for enhancing soundproofing without compromising structural integrity.

This research particularly addresses previous shortcomings faced by builders when selecting stud types for double leaf walls—enabling them to combine optimal sound performance with the lightweight benefits required for modern construction techniques. “Traditional wooden studs contribute more to the sound bridge effect compared to steel studs of the same structure,” adds clarity to choosing materials based on performance metrics.

Given the notable benefits stemming from this study, these findings bear significant relevance for the construction industry—especially as demands for more efficient, soundproof environments grow. Builders and architects can leverage this work to implement sound-efficient designs more effectively, ensuring both compliance with sound standards and satisfaction among building occupants.

Future research will likely explore environmentally friendly materials and the integration of advanced technologies to optimize wall configurations, with aspirations to contribute toward carbon neutrality goals within the sector. By refining lightweight wall design practices, this study paves the way for innovative approaches to meeting rising acoustic and structural demands.

Source: The Pinnacle Gazette