Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Futurebuild 2027 is the UK's leading event focused on connecting innovation with specification in the built environment.
It will take place from 11–13 May 2027 at Excel London, bringing together architects, contractors, developers, and policymakers.
Futurebuild takes place in London, United Kingdom.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Futurebuild 2027 runs 11–13 May 2027 at Excel London, UK.
- 2Scale and Focus: The event connects over 20,000 unique visitors, including architects, contractors, and developers, focusing on sustainable solutions.
- 3Organiser: Hosted by Media 10, with registration details available at futurebuild.co.uk.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include key decision-makers from local authorities, developers, and the construction industry.
- 5Entry / Access: Registration is open now; confirm daily opening hours on the official website.
Why visit
Visitors to Futurebuild will gain insights into the latest innovations in sustainable building practices, network with industry leaders, and discover new products and solutions that can enhance their projects. The event offers a unique opportunity to engage with decision-makers and influencers in the built environment.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at Futurebuild provides unparalleled access to a targeted audience of architects, contractors, and developers actively seeking innovative solutions. Buyer Authority: Attendees include key decision-makers from local authorities, developers, and the construction industry. Futurebuild is crucial for driving innovation in the built environment, addressing sustainability challenges, and connecting industry leaders with the latest solutions. It serves as a platform.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Architects looking for sustainable building solutions
Contractors seeking innovative materials and technologies
Developers interested in the latest construction trends
Local authorities focused on policy and infrastructure
Policymakers aiming to drive sustainability initiatives
Industry influencers and thought leaders in construction
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Manufacturers of sustainable building materials
Technology providers for energy-efficient solutions
Consultants specializing in green building practices
Contractors focused on innovative construction methods
Service providers for retrofit and renovation projects
Design firms exploring new architectural trends
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Sustainable building materials and products
Energy-efficient technologies for construction
Innovative design solutions for the built environment
Retrofit solutions for existing buildings
Smart building technologies and systems
Construction equipment and machinery
Location & Facilities
Venue
Excel London
London, United Kingdom
Facilities
Parking
Excel London in London typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Excel London in London typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Excel London for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Free registration
Event days & opening times
DayOpening hours
:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
13 May 2027:10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Who runs the show
Organisers
the NHDG, Innovate UK and Futurebuild ](https://www
Organiser
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
London, United Kingdom
Why it matters
Attending Futurebuild on 2027-05-11 to 2027-05-13 in London lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Market news
Latest updates from across the market.
Sustainable Building Materials UK - UK Construction Blog
ReadTop 10 Sustainable Building Materials Transforming UK Construction
ReadEco-Friendly Building Materials - Hilti GB
ReadSustainable Construction News - Planning, Building & Construction Today
Read14 building materials shaping the future of the built environment
ReadEmerging trends in sustainable building materials: Technological ...
ReadPlan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · GBP
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
London City
LCY is the closest commercial gateway to Excel London, with a small, fast-turnaround terminal useful for short-haul European arrivals. Confirm ground transport before travel.
Approx. 3 mi / 5 km
to venue
Approx. 15-20 min by road; DLR links also serve the Royal Docks
by car
LHR is the largest long-haul gateway. The Elizabeth line runs direct to Custom House at Excel London; allow extra time in peak hours.
Approx. 24 mi / 39 km
to venue
Approx. 60-90 min by road; Elizabeth line direct to Custom House in roughly 45-55 min
by car
London Gatwick
LGW serves many short-haul and leisure routes; connect to central London by train and continue by Elizabeth line, DLR or tube to the Royal Docks.
Approx. 30 mi / 48 km
to venue
Approx. 60-90 min by rail/road via central London
by car
London Stansted
STN is a base for several low-cost carriers; allow time for the rail link to central London before onward connections to Excel London.
Approx. 38 mi / 61 km
to venue
Approx. 60-75 min by rail/road via central London
by car
London Luton
LTN handles low-cost and charter traffic; connect to central London by rail and continue by Elizabeth line, DLR or tube.
Approx. 35 mi / 56 km
to venue
Approx. 70-90 min by rail/road via central London
by car
London Southend
London Southend (SEN) is the main commercial gateway serving London; allow Approx. 60-80 min by rail to central London, then onward to the Royal Docks by road or rail to Excel London.
Approx. 40 mi / 64 km
to venue
Approx. 60-80 min by rail to central London, then onward to the Royal Docks
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Budget
Royal Docks / Custom House / Canning Town edgeUSD 80–130 / night
Limited inventory near Excel London during large events; book early. Confirm before travel.
Mid-range
Royal Docks / Greenwich Peninsula / Canning Town (DLR/Jubilee access)USD 130–220 / night
Holiday Inn Express London-Royal Docks and Greenwich capture bands approximate GBP 142–161 for 11-13 May 2027; rates spike during majors. Confirm before travel.
Premium
Royal Docks / Greenwich Peninsula / central DocklandsUSD 220–380 / night
Courtyard London City Airport and InterContinental London - The O2 capture bands approximate GBP 181–303 for the event dates; suites/club rooms higher. Confirm before travel.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
rail (Elizabeth line)
Estimated costGBP 13–25 contactless single fare depending on zone/peak (Elizabeth line)
Best forLondon Heathrow (LHR) to Excel London
Direct Elizabeth line service to Custom House in roughly 45-55 min; contactless or Oyster accepted. Confirm service patterns for late-evening travel before travel.
DLR
Estimated costGBP 2–5 contactless single fare
Best forLondon City (LCY) to Excel London
LCY is the closest gateway; DLR and short taxi/rideshare links serve the Royal Victoria Dock fairground. Confirm before travel.
metro (Tube + DLR)
Estimated costGBP 2–6 contactless single fare depending on zones and peak
Best forCentral London (Jubilee line) to Canning Town, change to DLR for Custom House for ExCeL or Prince Regent
Contactless or Oyster accepted throughout; journeys around the Royal Docks can lengthen at peak periods. Confirm before travel.
taxi / rideshare
Estimated costGBP 20–45 typical app fare / metered taxi depending on traffic
Best forCentral London and Docklands hotels to Excel London
Licensed black cabs and ride-hailing operate across London; journey times around the Royal Docks lengthen at peak periods and during large events. Confirm before travel.
taxi
Estimated costGBP 80–150 by taxi/rideshare; rail alternatives from approx. GBP 15–30
Best forLondon Gatwick (LGW) to Excel London
Approx. 60-90 min by rail/road via central London; connect to central London by train then Elizabeth line, DLR or tube to the Royal Docks. Confirm before travel.
bus
Estimated costGBP 1.75 flat contactless fare (Hopper rules may apply)
Best forLocal bus routes serving Royal Victoria Dock and Custom House
London buses use a flat contactless fare and can connect precinct hotels to the venue; check routes and stop locations on the Transport for London site. Confirm before travel.
taxi
Estimated costGBP 30–70 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forLondon Stansted (STN) to Excel London
Approx. 60-75 min by rail/road via central London; STN is a base for several low-cost carriers; allow time for the rail link to central London before onward connections to Excel London.
taxi
Estimated costGBP 30–70 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forLondon Luton (LTN) to Excel London
Approx. 70-90 min by rail/road via central London; LTN handles low-cost and charter traffic; connect to central London by rail and continue by Elizabeth line, DLR or tube.
Weather
May in London is late spring with changeable conditions: daytime highs typically around 14-18 C and overnight lows around 8-10 C, with rain on roughly 8-9 days across the month. Check a forecast for the 11-13 May 2027 fair week and plan a light waterproof layer for the walk between Excel London and Custom House or Prince Regent stations.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
UK mobile networks (EE, O2, Vodafone and Three) offer prepaid SIM and eSIM plans, and visitors with unlocked phones can buy a data SIM at airports or in central London. Roaming depends on your home operator and plan. Confirm on-site Wi-Fi availability, log-in details and hall coverage with Excel London or the organiser before you rely on it for live demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress
Smart casual is typical at UK built-environment trade fairs; keep a jacket for meetings and wear comfortable shoes for walking the Excel London halls.
Language and time zone
English is the working language of the show. In May, London runs on British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1).
Currency and payments
The UK uses pound sterling (GBP). Contactless card and mobile payment are widely accepted for transport, cafes and shops, though a small number of stalls may prefer cash.
Tipping and courtesy
Tipping is discretionary; around 10-12.5 percent is common in restaurants when a service charge is not already added. Punctuality is expected for scheduled meetings.
Emergencies
Dial 999 for police, fire or ambulance in an emergency (112 also works from mobiles). Pharmacy chains are found across central London and the Docklands.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: LCY
Book flights into London City (LCY) when possible for the shortest transfer to the Royal Docks, or Heathrow (LHR) for the widest long-haul choice and a direct Elizabeth line connection to Custom House. Compare Gatwick, Stansted and Luton on total journey time, not fare alone, since onward transfers add 60-90 min. Reserved seating and flexible fares help if your show-day schedule shifts.
Hotels
Find a stay near the venue with options for every budget.
Check-in (recommended)
2027-05-11
Check-out (recommended)
2027-05-13
Areas to stay
Royal Docks / Custom House / Canning Town edge · Royal Docks / Greenwich Peninsula / Canning Town (DLR/Jubilee access) · Royal Docks / Greenwich Peninsula / central Docklands
budget
GBP 80-130/night
mid range
GBP 130-220/night
premium
GBP 220-380/night
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: London City (LCY): Approx. 15-20 min by road; DLR links also serve the Royal Docks; London Heathrow (LHR): Approx. 60-90 min by road; Elizabeth line direct to Custom House in roughly 45-55 min; London Gatwick (LGW): Approx. 60-90 min by rail/road via central London; London Stansted (STN): Approx. 60-75 min by rail/road via central London. Allow road or rail time to Excel London; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Excel London: Royal Docks / Custom House / Canning Town edge: Royal Docks / Custom House / Canning Town edge; Royal Docks / Greenwich Peninsula / Canning Town (DLR/Jubilee access): Royal Docks / Greenwich Peninsula / Canning Town (DLR/Jubilee access); Royal Docks / Greenwich Peninsula / central Docklands: Royal Docks / Greenwich Peninsula / central Docklands.
Ride-hail: Uber, Bolt and Addison Lee operate in London alongside licensed black cabs; confirm availability and pricing in the app before travel. Drop-off and pick-up at Excel London is arranged around the venue entrances, so check current arrangements with the venue.
Public transit: Excel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, is served by the Elizabeth line (Custom House station), the DLR (Custom House for ExCeL and Prince Regent stations) and the Jubilee line to Canning Town for onward DLR. Fares are paid by contactless card or mobile, or with an Oyster card, with a flat single bus fare and zonal Tube and DLR fares. Plan door-to-door routes on the Transport for London journey planner before travelling.
Parking: Excel London offers on-site paid parking; confirm current daily rates, pre-booking options and hall access on the venue or organiser site before you travel. Alternative parking is available around the Royal Docks, but spaces fill quickly during large exhibitions.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May 2027
Temperature: Daytime highs typically around 14-18 C and overnight lows around 8-10 C; check a forecast for the fair week.
Seasonality: Late spring in London is changeable with showers possible on many days; May averages roughly 8-9 rain days. Carry a compact umbrella or light rain shell.
Packing: Pack light, layerable clothing and a waterproof outer layer for changeable spring weather, plus comfortable shoes for walking the Excel London halls. Smart casual works for a built-environment trade fair, with a jacket for meetings.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Futurebuild usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Register for Futurebuild 2027 on the official site and confirm your badge type (trade visitor, hosted buyer, speaker or press); check the FAQs for entry, access and bag policy details.
T-2
Build a knowledge-programme agenda around the themes you need, such as retrofit and fabric, net zero and whole-life carbon, MMC and offsite, or building performance, and save sessions to your show planner.
T-3
Book accommodation for check-in 11 May and check-out 13 May 2027 in the Royal Docks cluster (walking distance to Excel London), Canary Wharf or Greenwich/O2; Royal Docks rooms sell out fastest around large Excel shows.
T-4
Confirm your arrival gateway: London City (LCY) is closest to the venue, Heathrow (LHR) connects direct to Custom House on the Elizabeth line, and Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Southend need 60-90 min onward travel.
T-5
Set up a contactless payment method or order an Oyster card for tube, DLR and bus travel, and pre-plan routes to Excel London on the Transport for London journey planner.
T-6
If you need a UK visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation, confirm your status and print or download the organiser invitation letter for your travel documents.
T-7
Check the London forecast for changeable spring weather and pack a light waterproof layer plus comfortable shoes for the walk between the Excel London halls and Custom House or Prince Regent stations.
T-8
Confirm your show-day plan for 11-13 May 2027, pre-book any evening receptions or networking events, and check the venue's opening arrangements on the organiser site.
Networking spots
2Futurebuild registration concourse
Excel London
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Excel London
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights£160.00
- Per diem × 2£150.00
- Insurance£35.00
Estimated total£345.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Futurebuild fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4–8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published — confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3–6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources — confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Glossary
- Built environment
- The man-made surroundings where people live and work, covering buildings, infrastructure, public realm and the systems that connect them.
- Retrofit
- Upgrading an existing building, for example insulation, glazing, heating, ventilation and controls, to cut energy use and carbon rather than building new.
- Fabric-first
- An approach that maximises the performance of the building envelope (walls, roof, windows, airtightness) before adding low-carbon heating and renewables.
- Embodied carbon
- Greenhouse gas emissions associated with extracting, manufacturing, transporting and installing construction materials, plus their end-of-life disposal.
- Whole-life carbon
- The combined embodied and operational carbon of an asset across its full life cycle, used to compare design and specification choices.
- Net zero
- A building or portfolio that balances the greenhouse gases it emits with an equivalent amount removed or offset, typically against a dated target.
- Modern methods of construction (MMC)
- Offsite and pre-manufactured approaches such as volumetric modules, panels and podised systems that shift work from the site into a factory.
- Circular economy in construction
- Designing out waste through reuse, remanufacture and recycling of materials and components, keeping products in use for longer.
- Passivhaus
- A rigorous, performance-based standard for very low energy demand, delivered through insulation, airtightness, mechanical ventilation and careful detailing.
- BREEAM
- A widely used UK assessment method and certification scheme that rates the environmental performance of buildings.
- Heat pump
- An electric heating and cooling technology that moves heat between the building and the outside air, ground or water rather than burning fuel on site.
- Thermal bridging
- A path where heat flows more easily through a poorly insulated junction in the building fabric, increasing heat loss and the risk of condensation.
- Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)
- A design discipline that optimises components and assemblies for factory production and efficient site assembly.
- Social value
- The wider economic, social and environmental benefits a project delivers to local communities, often built into public-sector procurement.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Futurebuild
- Futurebuild 2027
- Futurebuild London
- Futurebuild London 2027
- Futurebuild Excel London
- Futurebuild London May 2027
- sustainable building materials expo London
- sustainable construction trade show London
- energy-efficient construction technologies expo
- built environment innovation event London
8 more alternate names hidden
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Sources
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References
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Publishers
0
Date checked
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Media 10
- event_website
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Futurebuild
- event_social
- event_social
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Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.