London Build Expo 2024: Pioneering Conversations on MMC, Sustainability, and Diverse Living Needs
This year’s London Build Expo proved to be a powerhouse of ideas, discussions, and insights, with the BUILDOFFSITE community leading several pivotal sessions. From tackling waste and sustainability to redefining diverse living needs, the event highlighted the transformative potential of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and the role of technology in shaping the future of the built environment.
Session Highlights: Waste to Wealth
The Waste to Wealth session, chaired by Edward Jezeph, brought together an expert panel including Anastasia Stella, Justin Murray, Lulie Anderson, Anthony Pearce, and James Pickard. Discussions centred on how MMC and offsite construction can tackle waste and drive sustainability in the construction sector.
Anthony Pearce of Apply Structure Ltd emphasised the critical role of legislation in driving change. He cited the impact of 2009 legislation on gypsum board, which significantly contributed to carbon reductions across the industry. This highlights how policy and practice must go hand in hand to achieve environmental goals.
The Role of Technology in Construction
The final BUILDOFFSITE panel discussion, introduced by Dr. Bola Abisogun OBE, featured insights from Eva Magnisali, Dale Sinclair, Adas Rico, Wojtulewicz-Richmond, AJ Canagasundaram FCIOB, and Stephen Wightman. The focus? How data and technology can optimize construction processes from the ground up.
Eva Magnisali stated, “Data can be used to optimise operations before it’s even started!” This sentiment resonated with the panel as they explored whether the industry is ready to embrace technology, collaborate, and change traditional mindsets. The unanimous answer: The technology is ready—now it’s up to us to harness its potential. Dale Sinclair called for a shift in mindset: “We need to stop optimising what we’ve been doing for hundreds of years and embrace change.”
Defining Diverse Living Needs
On the MMC Stage, BUILDOFFSITE led a thought-provoking session on addressing diverse living needs. The consensus was clear: one size does not fit all in housing.
Robert Barker of Abode Industries advised, “As an architect, never presume you know the correct solution. You need to accommodate all needs.” Alex Lubbock [HACT] built on this, emphasising how current approaches fail to meet real-world requirements, especially for the 14 million people in the UK living with disabilities, 8% of whom are children.
A Call to Action: Collaboration, Technology, and Transformation
The discussions at London Build Expo 2024 reaffirmed that MMC and offsite construction are essential to addressing critical industry challenges—from reducing carbon footprints to meeting diverse housing needs. The resounding takeaway was that while the technology, tools, and frameworks exist, a cultural and mindset shift is required to fully embrace their potential.
BUILDOFFSITE’s sessions reminded us all of the power of collaboration, innovation, and legislative support in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for construction.
Let’s continue to challenge the status quo and build a world that works for everyone!
Check out the highlights in this video: