Invited by Ian and the team at the British Property Federation, which helps oversee the £1.7 trillion UK real estate market, to keynote its annual London event, which became virtual because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Matthew GriffinFounder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
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Ian and the team at the British Property Federation, which helps oversee the £1.7 Trillion UK real estate market, originally asked Matthew to give the keynote at their annual event in London. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck it became a virtual event, which let them pack in even more content and turn the keynote into entertainment for whole families in lockdown.
The session ranged from science fiction to science fact, and looked at how the sustainable communities of the future will be built and the role they will play in society.
"The places where we live and the communities we live in help make us who we are, and the way we build communities in the future will benefit everyone."Matthew Griffin, London, May 2020
Matthew covered the building methods and materials of the future, including green concrete and self-healing, self-replicating bricks, which are as crazy as they sound and will help eliminate over 10 percent of all greenhouse gasses. He also discussed the role of new urban agriculture initiatives, and how 5G, drones and drone construction vehicles will let us build houses autonomously and remotely.
The future of energy, innovation and transportation also featured, with some surprising consequences for the property industry. The closing theme was that the places and communities we live in help make us who we are, and that building them well in future will benefit everyone.
311 Intelligence
What this means for your leadership team
Materials will cut carbon.
The keynote pointed to green concrete and self-healing, self-replicating bricks as a route to eliminating over 10 percent of all greenhouse gasses. Green construction is rated Prepare, with wide use expected by 2028. Property owners should treat low-carbon materials as a planning matter now.
Building may become remote.
With 5G, drones and drone construction vehicles, houses could be built autonomously and remotely. Drones are already at TRL 9, with wide use expected by 2028. Developers should test where site work can move to machines.
Communities shape the brief.
The closing theme was that the places we live help make us who we are. Energy, transport and urban agriculture will all touch property value and demand. Leaders should design for the community, not only the building.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
Which of our assets depend on materials that may soon be replaced?
Where could autonomous or remote building change our delivery model?
How would energy and transport shifts alter demand for our sites?
The trends and technologies behind this session
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
What does this session mean for organisations in property?
It suggests that materials, energy and construction methods will change together. Organisations that plan for greener building and more automated delivery will be better placed. The aim is communities that benefit everyone.
How does green construction relate to this session?
The keynote linked green concrete and new bricks to cutting greenhouse gasses. Green Construction is a trend rated Prepare, with wide use expected by 2028. Builders are cutting the carbon and waste locked into buildings.
How do drones relate to building homes?
The session said drones and drone construction vehicles, with 5G, will let houses be built autonomously and remotely. Drones are rated Prepare, at TRL 9, with wide use expected by 2028. They are a mature tool that construction can now plan around.
How can 311 brief our leadership team on this?
311 offers a private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector. It is delivered in person first.
Bring this to your leadership teamA private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector. In person first, anywhere in the world.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s session and 311 data.
If Matthew gave this session today
Hundreds of emerging technologies, and what they mean.
The codex explores hundreds of emerging technologies and their implications for global culture, industry and society, including the materials and construction breakthroughs that will shape how communities are built.
