New materials

Inspired by nature

The move towards a more multidisciplinary approach to environmental design is an opportunity for new materials, technology and living forms to redefine not only building design, but the entire built environment.

At our future materials & processes stand at Ecobuild 2017 we showcase what is possible when bringing together natural and engineering solutions.

Wednesday 8 March

14:30–15:30 BRE Academy, Ecobuild

Nature inspired healthy building materials

Professor Pete Walker, University of Bath

Professor Walker is the BRE Trust Chair of Innovative Construction Materials and Director of the BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials at the University of Bath. His research interests include bio-based construction materials, materials for improved indoor air quality and development of low carbon technologies for new and retrofitting applications. Pete’s a chartered civil engineer and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institution of Engineers (Australia).

Towards carbon negative facades – bioreceptive recycled glass tiles

Dr Veronica Ferrandiz-Mas, University of Bath

Veronica Ferrandiz-Mas is a lecturer in Innovative Construction Materials at the University of Bath. Her research focus on developing innovative construction materials, particularly those made by reusing by-products (waste) to improve the energy efficiency and thermal comfort of buildings. She’s previously held a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship at Imperial College London. She’s a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

Nanostructures derived from nature – moth inspired self-cleaning, thermochromic windows

Dr Ioannis Papakonstantinou, UCL

Ioannis Papakonstantinou is founder of the Photonic Innovations Lab and a senior lecturer at UCL. He has previously held positions in Sharp Laboratories of Europe, and the CERN-European Organisation for Nuclear Research. He is a member of UCL’s board of Energy Directors and holder of a European Research Council (ERC) starting grant on smart windows.

GIS construction solutions supporting net biodiversity gain

Katie McCausland, University of Reading

Katie McCausland is an EngD researcher in the Technology for Sustainable Built Environments department at the University of Reading in collaboration with Costain Group Plc. Her focus in on use of GIS in analysis visualisation of landscapes within sensitive sustainable infrastructure construction and asset management. Katie has a masters in Landscape Ecology, and previously worked as a GIS technician for a local council.

Biointegrated architecture – living building facades

Professor Marcos Cruz, UCL

Professor Cruz is an architect and a researcher with extensive experience in the design and creation of innovative environments in architecture. He is Co-Director of the BiotA Lab and Reader at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. A former Director of the Bartlett at UCL, 2010–2014, he has also held international posts and exhibited his award winning designs internationally.