Innovation

19th April 2016

Government mandate on BIM puts the UK ahead of the game in Europe

BRE recently hosted a European Network of Building Research Institutes (ENBRI) workshop on BIM, with representation from* Ireland, Poland, France, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Slovenia and Hungary.  It is no surprise that throughout Europe there is a desire to improve the productivity of the construction industry, with many nations putting in place challenging efficiency targets. … Continue reading “Government mandate on BIM puts the UK ahead of the game in Europe”

25th September 2015

When art and science combine Bio-Digital Cladding emerges

In the second in our series of innovator interviews, supported by the Knowledge Transfer Network, we met up with Marco Poletto from ecoLogicStudio. Their Bio-Digital cladding system is a great illustration about how new building technologies can develop when art and science combine. [youtube height=”HEIGHT” width=”WIDTH”]PLACE_LINK_HERE[/youtube] ecoLogicStudio’s technology encapsulates algae micro-organisms within a custom-designed ETFE … Continue reading “When art and science combine Bio-Digital Cladding emerges”

25th September 2015

Construction Sector Potential for High Value Manufacturing Technologies

BRE coordinated a workshop with Innovate UK  and the Institute for Manufacturing a number of key areas were identified where High Value Manufacturing can help the UK construction sector achieve its vision for 2025. BRE Innovar coordinated a workshop with the Technology Strategy Board and the Institute for Manufacturing a number of key areas were … Continue reading “Construction Sector Potential for High Value Manufacturing Technologies”

25th September 2015

Innovation Learning from Skanska

In the latest in our series of innovator interviews, we caught up with Sam Stacey, Skanska’s Head of Innovation. Skanska is emerging as one of the UK’s most innovative main contractors. Sam joined Skanska in 2011 in a new role as Head of Innovation. Sam has responsibility for developing innovation across Skanska’s UK organisation.   … Continue reading “Innovation Learning from Skanska”

25th September 2015

Plastic Electronics to Building Products – Polysolar Building Integrated Transparent Solar Glass

Market understanding, long term commitment and collaboration again emerge as the critical factors in successful innovation in the sector. We caught up with Hamish Watson, inventor of the Polysolar Building Integrated Transparent Solar Glass. Polysolar has developed the world’s first completely transparent low-cost photovoltaic (PV) glazing that can generate electricity with around 20% light transmission … Continue reading “Plastic Electronics to Building Products – Polysolar Building Integrated Transparent Solar Glass”

25th September 2015

From Bridges to Robots – The Facility’s Innovation Journey

In our latest innovation interview, supported by the Knowledge Transfer Network, we caught up with Oliver Schneider from innovation-led architectural practice The Facility. The Facility started in the early 1990s as a traditional architecture practice. Oliver’s passion for finding ways to do things differently has led him to take the practice in a different direction, … Continue reading “From Bridges to Robots – The Facility’s Innovation Journey”

27th October 2015

CASE STUDY: Sustainable Timber on BREEAM Outstanding Adapt Enterprise Centre

The Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia opened in autumn 2015.  The 3,400 square metre building is one of the largest timber frame structures in the UK and has achieved BREEAM Outstanding.  The building aimed to demonstrate to that natural products can provide attractive alternatives to conventional technologies. 70% of the studwork for … Continue reading “CASE STUDY: Sustainable Timber on BREEAM Outstanding Adapt Enterprise Centre”

8th March 2016

Accelerate to Innovate – Seeking Digital Technologies for the Built Environment

We’re really excited to be partnering with CIOB and Construction Manager again this year. Building on the success of last year’s Dragon’s versus Innovators session, we are seeking digital technologies to be paired up with an industry mentor. Digital innovators with fresh ideas for apps, software tools or digital technologies for construction are invited to … Continue reading “Accelerate to Innovate – Seeking Digital Technologies for the Built Environment”

15th September 2015

IOBAC Interview – Collaboration and understanding your market the recipe for successful innovation

In the first of our series of six interviews looking at the innovation process we talked to Ian Spreadborough, MD of magnetised flooring company IOBAC. BRE first met IOBAC when the participated and won the Knowledge Transfer Network’s Innovation Zone at Ecobuild 2012. IOBAC’s technology takes standard forms of installing flooring and simplifies this into … Continue reading “IOBAC Interview – Collaboration and understanding your market the recipe for successful innovation”