Ecobuild 2016 Provides Platform for Next Generation Thinking With Dedicated Conference Day

LONDON, October 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Ecobuild 2016 will continue to deliver on the event's reputation of cultivating high level content and thought leadership by providing a vision of the future on day three of the conference which will offer the insights needed to future-proof businesses across the construction sector.

Under the theme of Next Generation, the day will include visionary speakers on the thinking, materials and practices that will be required to meet future challenges for the industry. An eclectic mix of speakers providing a diverse range of viewpoints range from the Cabinet Office and UK-GBC to industry innovators Exterior Architecture and media figures such as TV's Rachel Riley.

Key Next Generation questions will be asked such as the impact and scope of smart technology and the Internet of Things on future buildings, and radical solutions will be proposed. Speaker highlights include a Leaders' Debate where Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive of UKGBC will pose five future sustainability challenges to industry follower by major contractors and developers describing how the industry can deliver. In another key session Dr David Hancock, Head of Construction at the Cabinet Office, will address the issue of future construction skills shortages.

In what will be an inspiring afternoon session, Real Next Generation Ideas will feature outside-the-box future design solutions for challenges in urban environments. They include Sam Martin, Director of Exterior Architecture on a concept developed with Foster + Partners and Space Syntax to build cycle routes above railway lines, Alex Smith of [Y/N] Studio on transforming canals into swimmable waterways, and Anna Hill of Space Synapse presenting a proposed floating cycle way.

The afternoon's Big Debate on the next generation of buildings will feature Richard Francis, Principal of Sustainability Consultant the Monomoy Company, on the impact of technology and smart buildings, and special guest speaker Alex Bellos will close the event with a fascinating take on humankind's emotional relationship with numbers.

Launched at Ecobuild 2015 and sure to be a well-attended session again next year is Ecobuild's Big Innovation Pitch, developed in association with Marks & Spencer to unearth truly innovative future sustainability solutions across the design, construction and energy sectors. This year pitches from a range of businesses will be judged by a panel including Chris Marney, Head of Engineering and Energy at M&S and hosted by Rachel Riley from TV's Gadget Show and Countdown.

Martin Hurn, Ecobuild Event Director commented: "Providing a fresh change for visitors to Ecobuild, 'Next Generation' has been designed to give an inspiring and surprising glimpse of innovative solutions to future problems. Following on from what will be a compelling first two days covering Homes and Architecture the third day will provide a thought-provoking finale to the event for visitors."

For further information about Ecobuild 2016 please visit http://www.ecobuild.co.uk.

For further information, please contact David Ing or Kelly Slociak at CFA on:

David Ing
Telephone: +44(0)1622-754295 or +44(0)7802-409484
Email: david.ing@cfa-group.com

Kelly Slociak
Telephone: +44(0)1622-754295 or +44(0)7793-578738
Email: kell.slociak@cfa-group.com