Member Article

BIM Show Live supports Newcastle's rise as digital construction authority

Newcastle played host to BIM Show Live this month, where 400 delegates from around the world descended on the city to attend an innovation in technology-led conference for the digital construction sector.

Hosted by Newcastle-based Space Group in the Stephenson Quarter, the two day event saw handpicked experts deliver a programme of content to delegates, including architects, engineers and construction professionals who gathered in the new-look Boiler Shop venue.

With five keynote speakers over the two days, very different perspectives were put forward on digital construction, from innovators and developers to clients and end users.

The four content streams; Data, Stories, Next Generation and Strategy, were populated with digital construction novices as well as the veterans, both captivated by the level of knowledge, technological advancements and just how far the construction industry has come in a short space of time.

The speakers were choreographed by Chairs David Philp, global BIM/IM consultancy director at AECOM and chair of the Scottish BIM Delivery Group, and Simon Rawlinson, head of strategic research and insight at Arcadis.

Mark Shayler, founder and director of Ape, James Pellatt, head of projects from Great Portland Estates (GPE), and Stuart Maggs, founder of Scaled Robotics, all delivered talks during the Show alongside Nell Watson, engineer, future orientated thinker and faculty member of the Singularity University, and Peter Runacres, Senior Projects Director for Argent, who completed the lineup.

Show co-founder, Rob Charlton, CEO of Space Group, commented: “At Space Group we wanted to create a show that not only produced a knowledge exchange and learning platform for digital construction, but to put on a show to remember and we certainly achieved both.

“Since we first began in 2011, we have maintained the philosophy that we are doing this for our colleagues and peers to create opportunities and secure the future of construction.

Catherine Walker, inward investment director at Invest Newcastle (a service delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative on behalf of Newcastle to attract and secure new investment and jobs for the city), said: “It was brilliant to see businesses from around the world come to Newcastle for BIM Show Live and experience the local expertise we have here in the city.

“Newcastle is positioned as a centre of excellence for digital construction – driven by a strong academic base of leading universities serving the sector and a competitive architectural market.”

Rob added: “We are already planning for next year, we see this as a long-term commitment and our aim is to help drive a digital revolution to ensure the construction industry achieves another fantastic five years.”