Ecobuild 2015 programme preview

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Election fever

The countdown to 7 May has begun. The rise of the SNP and Ukip, and surging membership for the Greens, makes this a difficult election to judge and another coalition government seems a distinct possibility. While we wait for the parties and broadcasters to agree the terms of the pre-election televised debates, Ecobuild has many conference and seminar sessions, featuring senior politicians Ed Davey, secretary of state for the department of energy and climate change; Maria Eagle, shadow secretary of state for the department of environment, food and rural affairs; and former deputy prime minister John Prescott; for you to debate party policies and their impact on the built environment. Building magazine has asked its readers what the next government’s priorities for the industry should be and these will be unveiled in The Building Debate: Agenda 15, a manifesto for construction. Sir John Armitt CBE will be among those speaking.

The shockwaves from the recent victory for Syriza in Greece are still being felt; a move that could break up monetary union and cause schisms within the EU. The UK election result could bring about a referendum on European membership and an Ecobuild conference session, which includes Lord Deben, examines the impact of a no vote on UK sustainability policy.

Which political party is most likely to help drive a greener property sector after the election? A conference debate will be assisted by the launch of a new scorecard, grading policies against a set of good practice principles for environmental policy making.

Rounding things off will be none other than Alastair Campbell, best known as director of communications and strategy for prime minister Tony Blair between 1997 and 2003. Who better to give his thoughts on an election that is simply too close to call?

Water, water everywhere

The UK is getting used to extreme weather events, yet the National Audit Office states that current spending is insufficient to meet many flood defence maintenance needs. Resilience is a key topic at this year’s Ecobuild and there is much on offer at both the conference sessions and seminars in the Water and Design zones. Perhaps a national environmental resilience plan is needed? Climate change mitigation strategies require a long-term national infrastructure plan backed with sufficient funding, and a conference session will examine what this should look like and whether the money can be made available.

Away from the conference, seminar sessions cover the role of planning in managing the water challenges, and water-sensitive urban design, a holistic approach to the water cycle taking in water supply, waste water and surface water management. Speakers include Peter Massini, principal policy officer - green infrastructure at the Greater London Authority and Professor Richard Ashley, emeritus professor of urban water at the University of Sheffield.

Peter Bide, independent consultant and former policy adviser to the communities department, will argue that water management must be at the heart of planning and a session on effective urban water management looks at reliable, resilient and sustainable urban systems and collaborative working with grey and green infrastructure. The effects on London will be explored in a session where Simon Hughes, deputy director, London at the Environment Agency will reveal the Thames 2100 Strategy.

The feel-good factor

What is the ultimate goal with sustainable construction? Is it about use of materials with low environmental impact? Should low energy consumption and incorporation of renewable technologies be the driving force? What about the human benefits of green building? Staff costs, including salaries and benefits, typically account for about 90% of business operating costs. Therefore a modest improvement in employee health or productivity can have a huge financial impact - one that is many times larger than any other savings associated with an efficiently designed and operated building.

Wellbeing features heavily at this year’s Ecobuild. The ancient Buddhist practice of mindfulness is having a quiet moment in the limelight and will be among the thoughts of delegates at conference. Paul Dolan, professor of behavioural science at the London School of Economics and Political Science, will reveal how the built environment drives feeling and behaviour and Jane Henley, chief executive of the World Green Building Council, hosts a session on how to measure occupier wellbeing and whether buildings that score highly can achieve enhanced rental premiums.

Biophilic design explores mankind’s connection with nature to create spaces that enhance wellbeing. Examples include maximising natural light and providing views out onto green spaces. Architect and interior designer Oliver Heath examines the benefits of the approach. Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone will be among the speakers at a session looking at how to design cities with wellbeing at heart.

Seminars in various zones address a wide range of issues around health and wellbeing, including the role of effective lighting design, where Dr Paul Littlefair, principal lighting consultant at the BRE, chairs a session.

Innovation, innovation, innovation

The government’s 2025 Industrial Strategy for Construction includes ambitious targets: a 33% reduction in the initial cost of construction and whole-life costs built into assets; a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; and a 50% reduction in the trade gap between total exports and total imports of products and materials. Innovations in new processes and cutting-edge materials can help us to achieve these targets and Ecobuild will explore how to bridge the gap between new ideas and delivery. Professor Tadj Oreszcyzyn, professor of energy and environment and director of the UCL Energy Institute at University College London, will join Michael Pawlyn, director Exploration Architecture; Dan Epstein, director of sustainability at Useful Simple Projects; and others, exploring why many excellent research ideas never make it to site.

A joint initiative between M&S and Ecobuild, The Big Innovation Pitch, is aiming to unearth a true sustainable innovation for the retail sector. Those that have made it through the heats will participate in a live Dragon’s Den-style pitch to an expert judging panel on Ecobuild’s show floor. M&S will work with the winning company to investigate applying the innovative product or service in its buildings.

Innovative heat and energy solutions in urban settings will be explored in a seminar session chaired by Gareth Roberts, partner at Sturgis Carbon Profiling, and Dr Rick Robinson, executive architect, smarter cities at IBM, will look at future energy technologies which are underpinning development in smart buildings, grids and cities. Visitors will get an opportunity to put their questions on grid management innovation and technology in an “Ask the expert” session in the Solar City zone.

Design matters

Good design is at the heart of sustainable construction and always an essential ingredient at Ecobuild. This year is no exception, with Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins Architects, designer of the Stirling prize-winning Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, discussing his approach to sustainable design with The Independent’s Jay Merrick. Architectural publication BD is hosting three Ecobuild debates. High-rise residential blocks always create fierce debate, both for and against. Are tall towers the only answer to population growth in UK’s cities? Ike Ijeh, architectural correspondent at BD, will host a debate looking at whether tall buildings are more sustainable than low-rise alternatives and the potential impact on quality of life for both residents and those living nearby.

Development needn’t be at the expense of landscape. Sir Terry Farrell will speak on how the Thames Estuary is being transformed as a place where landscape is the primary infrastructure. Four leading sustainability practitioners, including Rab Bennetts from architect Bennetts Associates, discuss their guiding principles and how these can be realised in the face of tough competition and cost-cutting.

High-quality housing design is too often sacrificed for standard solutions with little thought for the surrounding public realm. A BD debate, which includes renowned designer Wayne Hemingway, will look at what can be done to increase design quality in housing.

Seminar sessions on design issues can be found throughout the three days. Topics include the benefits of adopting Passivhaus design principles, the use of bio-based materials and design for deconstruction and reuse. Can sustainable design actually cost less than conventional solutions? Chris Twinn of TwinnSustainabilityInnovation chairs a session looking at what can be done when paying a premium to take sustainability mainstream is no longer an option.

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