Steelwork’s benefits highlighted at Building the Future Conference

The advantages of using metal decked flooring solutions, how to reduce cost and time on tall building projects, and working with BS 99001 were just some of the topics discussed at the BCSA and Steel for Life’s Future of Steel Construction sessions, which formed part of the Building the Future Conference 2026.

Held at Convene Sancroft in the City of London, the conference commenced with a keynote speech by Vistry Chief Executive Adam Daniels.

Pete Baker, Technical Market Manager – Building Systems at Tata Steel, opened the Future of Steel Construction with a presentation on mixed-use developments that have successfully utilised composite steel flooring.

The selection of high-profile projects included Battersea Power Station and Luton Airport Car Park.

All of the schemes, which had a variety of requirements, highlighted composite steel flooring’s key benefits, such as speed of installation, safety, flexibility and services integration.

As part of the company’s transition to Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelwork, Tata Steel has a green steel offering known as Optemis Evolve. It has lower embodied carbon and a higher recycled content.

Karen Cook, Co-Founder of Spice Design, hosted a session entitled ‘Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming: a design methodology’.

It focussed on reducing time and cost on tall building projects, while maintaining quality and efficiency.

It was recommended that project teams engage with planners and trades early, overlap sequential activities and embrace techniques to unlock carbon savings.

Led by Arwen May, Managing Director of the Specialist Construction Certification Scheme, the third and final Future of Steel Construction session featured a panel of experts discussing BS 99001.

It was suggested that training staff to believe in the rules was a way to increase competency in the workplace.

The conference concluded with the Architect of the Year Awards 2026, which included the Young Architect of the Year Award sponsored by Steel for Life.

BCSA Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Clemens said: “Architectural design, along with engineering excellence, is foundational in delivering a better built environment, in terms of wellbeing, sustainability and pride. Therefore, it was with pride that Steel for Life was able to sponsor the Young Architect of the Year Award.”