Innovations in the construction industry are coming thick and fast. Future Builders Day is the place to be for construction students and instructors to see the highlights all in one day. Arjan Walinga of Bouwend Nederland can hardly wait. “It’s such a cool event!”
Arjan, what is Future Builders Day?
“It’s a major, unmissable event at the Fokker Terminal in The Hague where education and the construction and infrastructure sectors come together. It’s an open-plan event: we’ve deliberately chosen not to use partitions to divide the space. Instead, visitors are invited to move through the terminal based on their interests and sense of wonder.”
How did this event come about?
“In the Industry Development department, we keep an eye on both major and minor innovations in the construction sector for the members of Bouwend Nederland. So, it’s all good news for the construction industry, spanning a wide range of areas such as bio-based materials, the electrification of equipment, sustainability, 3D modeling, AI, and you name it. All these developments influence construction practices. Six years ago, we thought it would be a good idea to share these innovations with teachers and students in construction education. The first edition was a huge success, and we’ll be holding the event for the sixth time soon.”
How does this help education?
“Innovations in the construction industry are advancing at breakneck speed. It’s nearly impossible to keep up with all of that, on top of the curriculum that must be completed in three or four years. We’ve already compiled a selection of key innovations for our members, and we’re happy to share them with stakeholders in education as well. We’re doing this as part of our commitment to keeping education up to date.”
And where does that ambition come from?
“It originated years ago in response to a request from our members. They asked us to ensure that young people entering the workforce could hit the ground running as quickly as possible and that they were up to speed on all modern technologies and developments. We took that on. By the way, companies can’t simply pay to showcase their products; they’re there at our invitation, based on an interesting innovation.”
What kinds of companies are there?
“Dura Vermeer demonstrates how circular construction, reuse, and emissions reduction contribute to the construction site of the future. RoboHouse shows how human-centered robotics and AI make construction smarter, safer, and more sustainable. Strukton presents, among other things, innovative rail robotics and smart energy solutions. And BAM is showcasing the inspiring Zoë residential building in Amsterdam as an example of challenging and creative nature-inclusive construction. These are just a few examples of exhibitors, but there’s much more to see, of course. There’s something for everyone—and I mean that literally: anyone with a connection to the built environment is welcome. Teachers and students from related fields, such as building services engineering, are also warmly welcome.”
What’s this year’s theme?
“We’re calling this edition: BUILD THE BEAT. It turns out there are quite a few similarities between festival grounds and construction sites—ranging from electrification and bio-based materials to smart temporary structures. The construction sector can learn from the festival sector, and vice versa. In that context, the director of the Zwarte Cross and the director of Into The Great Wide Open will co-host a College Tour. They’ll share practical lessons on smart logistics, sustainable energy, water usage, nitrogen emissions, and innovative environmental projects. Paul Schurink will also be presenting a College Tour. Schurink collaborates with artists such as Coldplay on concerts powered entirely by renewable energy, using battery systems and smart grids.”
What do young people get out of this day?
“For starters, there are, of course, all kinds of smart technologies, new materials, digital applications, and—of course—the craziest objects on display, which they get to try out for themselves. It also gives them a broad perspective on the construction industry. Many young people choose a career in construction without knowing exactly what opportunities the industry has to offer. On this day, you see the light bulb moment: ‘Hey, is that possible too? Is that part of it as well?’ That motivates them to finish their program, perhaps continue their studies, and eventually start working in the sector.”
And teachers?
“We really want them to bring their students along. That’s why we have standard assignments ready for them to have their students complete on Future Builders Day. And that way, the knowledge they gain there feeds back into education, killing several birds with one stone.”
What are you most looking forward to?
“The ‘From Puddle to Fries’ deep dive on water, water treatment, and circular water use. By now, everyone is familiar with network congestion, but the new buzzword in the built environment is water congestion. If you want to build somewhere, it may very well happen in the (near?) future that you won’t be able to get a water connection there (or only a very small one). The construction industry can learn from the festival world. An example? At the Zwarte Cross festival, they collect urine separately, extract valuable substances from it, which are then used as fertilizer for potatoes or grain. So, from pee to fries. That circular approach is possible in many other places.”
Can people still sign up?
“Absolutely! You can even sign up on the day of the event, but if you’re already thinking, ‘I have to be there!’, I say, ‘Sign up now!’ That way, you’ll have a better chance of getting into the deep dives of your choice. Last year, we had just under a thousand visitors; I’m expecting we’ll surpass that number this time.”
Would you like to register for Future Builders Day? You can do so here.
