Is it ever OK to demolish a building in the 21st Century? The role of technology in understanding options and making decisions about the future of existing and new buildings.
In February 2022, we explored the thorny topic of whether it’s ever OK to demolish a building in the 21st Century. Nine months on, we’re getting ready for the second of this series of panel discussions exploring ‘refurbishment vs demolish’
Our February panel was chaired by Dr. Sarah Prichard, UK MD and Partner, Buro Happold, the panel of industry experts included Jeremy Randall, Planning Partner, Gerald Eve; Dr. Natasha Watson, Associate Structural Engineer, Buro Happold; Dr. Craig Robertson, Head of Sustainability Allford Hall Monaghan Morris; Elaine Toogood, Head of Architecture, The Concrete Centre. Based on questions submitted by the audience, the conversation was lively and informative.
The theme this time will be the role of technology in understanding options and making decisions about the future of existing and new buildings. We will explore how technology is enabling net zero best practice, the role of optioneering, the contribution made by the Internet of Things and collaborative design software. We will also explore if the technology currently available is fit for purpose now and going forward, and where technology vendors working in the built environment could focus next to ensure that the built environment minimises its negative impact on the environment.
Chair
Sarah Prichard
UK MD and Partner | Buro Happold
Sarah joined Buro Happold in the Bath office as a Trinity College Dublin graduate in January 2001. Having completed her PhD on the response of concrete to impact, she decided to put what she had learned into practice and ‘build things!’.
Sarah became a Partner in 2017 and is the UK Managing Director, a role which seeks to support and unify all of the engineering teams, in the structures, building environment, and specialist consulting disciplines, from the five offices in the UK.
Panelists
Marta Bouchard
AEC Sustainability Strategy | AutoDesk
Marta leads the sustainability strategy for Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) within Autodesk’s Sustainability and Foundation team. Within this role, Marta seeks to position and extend Autodesk and Autodesk’s technology to transform the AEC industry to realize more sustainable outcomes.
Prior to joining Autodesk, Marta practiced in the Architectural Design and Planning industry, providing sustainability consulting and design analysis for the built environment. She led collaborative, cross-functional project teams to achieve high-performance design and sustainability goals. Marta Bouchard is a LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, holds a NCIDQ Certificate and a BS from Cornell University in Design and Environmental Analysis.
Jules Barker
Global Director of Product | WiredScore
Jules Barker is responsible for the creation, delivery
and evolution of all products and associated services, including the WiredScore digital
connectivity certification and SmartScore.
Jules joined WiredScore in 2020 from British Land, a UK based developer and landlord. There
he led the Smart Places team, responsible for developing the company’s strategy for using
technology to create outstanding places, and then devising and delivering products to make this
a reality.
Jules’ background is in business strategy working at Bain and Co and BP. He started his career
in the British Army where he commanded tanks and skied quite a lot, and has also worked as a
postman, a binman and a juice innovator.
Jules is fascinated by the changes technology is driving across the world and is a great believer
that tech can change our world for the better, if we manage not to destroy ourselves with it first.
May Winfield
Global Director Commercial, Legal and Risk | Buro Happold
May is a senior construction and insurance lawyer with over 16 years’ experience. She has worked for various international organisations within the design and construction industry, as well as advising and representing insurers in this field.
She is a leading legal expert in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and related technologies. May was one of the first UK lawyers to start investigating the legal and contractual implications of BIM, beginning her specialism in 2011.
In 2020, May was recognised as the ‘Best Woman in Construction Law’ at the European Women In Construction and Engineering Awards (WICE) in honour of her work in the industry.
Simon Bird
Director | LOM
With his passion for strategy and innovation, Simon Bird creates high quality and effective design solutions for clients across a range of sectors. As a director of LOM, he takes a leading role on strategic, interior and architectural projects, as well as leading Sustainability and Wellbeing agendas in the practice. Since joining LOM in 2000, he has delivered multiple residential schemes, education projects and high profile workplace projects for major organisations.
Simon studied at the Manchester School of Architecture and completed a Masters research degree in architecture concerning the impact of networked media on physical space. He has also taught studio design at the University of Greenwich and The Bartlett School of Architecture.
