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Raising the profile of measurement and testing at Futurebuild 2026 (plus an award for Heat3D!)
Futurebuild 2026 co-located with UK Construction Week this year and despite the later running date, there was a noticeably different scale and energy to the show, creating a vibrant and commercially focused atmosphere throughout the venue.
For Build Test Solutions and our customers, one of the most encouraging themes across the FutureBuild exhibition and seminar programme was the ever more prominent focus on delivered quality, performance and outcomes. There is an increasing recognition that, regardless of how a project is financed, ambitious sustainability targets and building safety objectives can only be achieved if buildings are properly measured, tested, and validated.
Across the show floor, discussions around performance verification were far more prominent than in previous years. Topics such as airtightness, thermal performance, heat loss, ventilation, moisture risk, and in-use operational performance are no longer seen as niche technical considerations. They are becoming central to how the industry approaches design, compliance, and long-term building quality.
3 full days of conversation
We spent the full 3 days speaking to housing associations, local authorities, landlords, contractors, installers, consultants, architects, regulators and more all about how to embed measurement into their retrofit and new build projects. In the world of retrofit, everybody sees the Warm Homes Plan as a bit of a reset and a real opportunity to put our best foot forward and deliver practical, performance focused retrofits. Forget the fabric first versus fabric fifth debate, effective retrofit delivery is about measuring first and making informed investment decisions based on data rather than models laden with estimates and assumptions.
Similarly for new build developments, the deployment of heat pumps means that getting the fabric in the right window and the heat system designed and commissioned properly is of utmost importance. Those on the receiving end of S106 and Build to Rent homes are understandably nervous about performance in-use and the running costs associated with the way homes are currently being specified and built. Again, we see real opportunities for measurement and testing in this space.
The Retrofit Academy Awards
One of the highlights of the week for BTS came on Tuesday evening at The Retrofit Academy Awards, which provided an excellent opportunity to celebrate the innovation, collaboration, and commitment currently driving the retrofit sector forward. We were incredibly proud to see our Heat3D rapid U-value measurement technology recognised with the Retrofit Academy Award for Retrofit Product of the Year - Smart Technologies. Winning this award was a significant moment for everyone involved in the development of the product and serves as further recognition of the growing importance of accurate building performance measurement within retrofit and wider construction.
Receiving this recognition from The Retrofit Academy was particularly meaningful given the calibre of organisations and individuals involved across the retrofit sector. It reinforced the growing industry appetite for data-driven approaches that support evidence-based retrofit strategies and better-performing buildings.
The overall atmosphere throughout Futurebuild and the associated events was positive and forward-looking. While the sector continues to face economic pressures and regulatory change, there was a noticeable sense of determination and optimism among exhibitors and attendees alike. Innovation felt grounded in practical application rather than theory alone, with many discussions centred on measurable outcomes, evidence-based performance, and delivering buildings that genuinely work for occupants.
A great event to kick off the new financial year and we are genuinely excited for what’s in store over the coming months!
