TALL BUILDINGS CONFERENCE RISING ABOVE EXPECTATIONS

With safety and sustainability top of the high-rise agenda, the 2023 Tall Buildings Conference will create a forum to debate some of the thorny issues that are dividing opinions together with celebrating the engineering feats that are transforming our city skylines.

13.06.2023

Scheduled to take place in central Birmingham at the Millennium Point Conference Centre on Tuesday 13 June, the Tall Buildings Conference is set to be the sectors premier networking opportunity of 2023.

Last December, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities launched a consultation into new fire safety measures in highrise buildings, proposing installing second staircases in buildings over 30 metres. In addition, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said all planning applications for new residential buildings above 30 metres must now have second staircases before going to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for final sign off.

And then there is also the matter of sustainability. Over the next few years tall building advocates will not only need to consider the changes in safety legislation but also how to meet net zero targets. As urbanisation around the UK drives demand for high-rise buildings, achieving zero carbon is one of the biggest challenges facing engineers.

Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with Industry Leaders

Through a dynamic combination of motivational speakers, informative case studies and a dedicated exhibition, delegates have the opportunity to learn more about the growing trends and changes happening within the industry. The conference looks to the future and explores the elevated innovations that are making high-rise buildings greener, safer and inclusive by offering more opportunities for public access.

The Tall Buildings Conference will also give delegates a chance to learn more about the growing trends and changes happening within the industry – such as the increasing influence of modern methods of construction on building performance, early-stage risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.

Acclaimed Speakers

With an impressive array of speakers, the conference brings together those who are at the cutting-edge of the high-rise industry. Fostering a culture of intelligence sharing and knowledge exchange, this event provides city developers, investors, local authorities, architects, engineers and contractors with an exclusive opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the challenges involved.

Chaired by Steve Watts from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, speakers are confirmed to appear from leading companies such as Laing O'Rourke, Fieldfisher, Glancy Nicholls, Ambar Kelly, Arup, Howells Architects, Stephenson Studio, Herzog & de Meuron, Skidmore Owings & Merrill and Urban Habitat.

The first half of the day will see case study presentations from Alan McCartney from Howells Architects on Birmingham’s much-anticipated Octagon Tower – a £110 million project due for completion in 2025 and Paul Rigby of FaulknerBrowns on Hadrian’s Tower. Peter Jackson, Principal of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, will also present a talk on Achieving Net Zero in Tall Buildings. Sam Ward, Programme Leader at Laing O’Rourke’s global technology and innovation group will

Secure Your Place

be explaining how Laing O'Rourke and Kone's Modular Elevator Solution allows project teams to install a threestorey lift module in just 90 minutes.

Designing for Safety Panel Debate

A focus on fire safety will form much of the afternoon agenda. Chaired by Cecily Davis, Partner at Fieldfisher –Step Change: Designing for Safety in Tall Buildings panel debate will garner opinions on the second staircase ruling and discuss the best way forward whilst there is still uncertainty surrounding the proposed legislation.

Cecily will be joined by panellists Nick Atkinson, Director of Ambar Kelly; Colin Blanchford-Brown, Operational Policy Lead for HSE; David Fitzpatrick, Partner at SMAY Ventilation and David Stow, Fire Engineering Lead at Arup.

These experts in the field will share a wealth of knowledge on designing for fire safety in tall buildings.

Afternoon case study presentations will once more put the spotlight on some of the ambitious projects taking place in Birmingham. Keith Hamilton will deliver insights into Phase 2 of the Exchange Square development. Designed by Stephenson Studio the mixed use hotel, commercial, and business scheme will become a landmark gateway to the city. Lisa Deering, Director of Glancy Nicholls Architects, will give a talk on South Central Tower. The project combines low-carbon materials and technologies to create a building that honours heritage while being environmentally conscious and future-proof.

Easily accessible by car or rail, Birmingham offers a prime location for discussing the future of tall building design, boasting some of the most iconic high-rises in the country. The 2022 Tall Buildings Conference saw over 200 delegates attending and 2023 looks likely to be another sell-out event.

To book your place go to: www.tallbuildingsconference.co.uk/book For exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities email: shane.chebsey@radar-communications.co.uk

13.06.2023

MILLENIUM POINT, BIRMINGHAM Speaker Programme

08:30 Registration, Exhibitor Viewing & Networking

09:30 INTRODUCTION FROM SESSION CHAIR

Steve Watts, Chairman - Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

09:35

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Steve Watts, Chairman - Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

Tall Buildings Ain’t What They Used To Be

09:55 Alan McCartney, Partner - Howells

A Case Study on The Octagon

10:15 Ben Blackwood, Head of On-Site Design / Fire Risk Management ChampionBallymore

A Case Study on Goodluck Hope

10:35 Samuel Ward, EU R&D Programme Leader / Engineering Lead - Laing O’Rourke

Laing O’Rourke & KONE’s Modular Elevator Solution

10:55 Q&A Panel Discussion

11:05 Refreshment Break, Exhibitor Viewing & Networking

SESSION CHAIR

Cecily Davis, Partner - Fieldfisher

11:45 Peter Jackson, Principal - Skidmore Owings & Merrill

Achieving Net-Zero in Tall Buildings

12:05 Robert Lunn, Lead Architect - MAKE Architects

A Case Study on 20-22 Ropemaker Street

12:25 Paul Rigby, Partner, ArchitectFaulknerBrowns Architects

A Case Study on Hadrian’s Tower

12:45 John O’Mara, UK Studio DirectorHerzog & de Meuron

A Case Study on One Park Drive

13:05

13:15

Q&A Panel Discussion

Lunch, Exhibitor Viewing & Networking

SESSION CHAIR

Cecily Davis, Partner - Fieldfisher

14:15

Keith Hamilton, Director - Stephenson Studio

A Case Study on Exchange Square Phase 2

14:35 Lisa Deering, Director - Glancy Nicholls

Architects

A Case Study on South Central Tower

14:55

15:05

15:25

Q&A Panel Discussion

Cecily Davis, Partner - Fieldfisher

Building Safety: What next for UK high-rise?

HEADLINE EXHIBITOR AUDIENCE ADDRESS

Nick Atkinson, Director - Ambar Kelly

A Review of Fire Testing & Regulations

15:45

PANEL DEBATE

Step Change: Designing for Fire Safety in Tall Buildings

Nick Atkinson, Director - Ambar Kelly

Colin Blachford-Brown, Operational Policy

Lead for Gateways and Building ControlHealth & Safety Executive

David Fitzpatrick, Head of SFS - SFS Division of Exyte Hargreaves

David Stow, Fire Engineering Lead - Arup

16:30

KEYNOTE SPEAKER CLOSING COMMENTS

Steve Watts, Chairman - Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

16:40 Event End

13.06.2023

MILLENNIUM POINT BIRMINGHAM