Editor-at-Large Andrew Gaved picks some personal favourites from the just-published content programme at elementalLONDON.
The elementalLONDON content programme is now complete, and as one of the programme developers, I can confidently promise you insights into some of the key issues facing buildings and how they are designed and operated. We have sought to take in a wide range of subjects, so that alongside the headline talking points, we also have a number of deep-dive sessions.
With 90 sessions scheduled over the two day event taking place on 19-20 November – and that’s not including the ones that are taking place in siderooms, it is a near-impossible task to give you just a few highlights, so I have drilled down into those that personally I think will be informative, insightful or inspiring. This then, in no particular order is my Top Ten Content sessions:
- Timandra Harkness keynote. AI is a subject that everyone knows will be increasingly important, but few people know how it will impact. Given that Timandra is both an AI expert and a stage comedian, this is guaranteed to be entertaining.
- Decarbonising London panel session. Given its high proportion of historic properties, complicated infrastructure and constantly changing occupancy, London offers both challenge and opportunity for making buildings more efficient.
- Healthy Homes and Buildings panel. Considering questions from ‘Is the government letting us down on mould and damp?’ to ‘Are commercial buildings standards fit for purpose?’, this session promises to be provocative.
- The Future is Electric. Octopus Energy’s Phil Steele is probably the only person in this industry with the title Future Technologies Evangelist. He will give us an insight into the way in which an electrified UK will develop.
- The Big Heat Network Debate. It is expected that heat networks will expand significantly in the near future, as their role as a low-carbon source of heat is exploited. A veritable host of experts will consider how this is becoming a reality.
- Michael Pawlyn keynote. Michael is noted for his approach to buildings that takes in ‘regenerative’ design – a key aspect in the quest to decarbonise.
- Women in Buildings session. The people who work in the buildings sector are just as vital as the technology. The Construction Inclusion Council will be explaining its work to foster inclusion, ranging from women’s networks to mentoring and sharing stories from the front line of industry experience.
- Designing the Future: RIBA architects consider how building design needs to change to meet the challenge of decarbonisation and reduced energy consumption.
- Climate Resilience in the Built Environment. Overheating has been a subject on everyone’s lips this summer and in this session, CIBSE’s experts will be proposing the industry’s response to this and other climate-related impacts.
- From Policy to Practice: Driving Decarbonisation in Home Improvement. With the Warm Homes Plan due to be announced in October, this promises to be a hot-off-the-press insight.
If those 10 don’t inspire you, then visit the show website to view all of the other content taking place in our five content theatres. I can promise you an insightful two days!
To register for your free ticket for elementalLONDON, click here
