Seminars

This year's annual conference sees a very varied seminar programme created by our members covering topics with the themes of; innovation in austerity, learning from other countries and making assets work harder.

Delegates may choose one seminar from each session below or view our programme of tours, which runs at the same time.

SESSION 03

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Thursday 16 May, 15:00-16:30

(3A) CHANGING CULTURE TO MAXIMISE VALUE
This seminar will examine the reasons to renew or replace an existing asset, concentrating on the value enhancement which can be achieved by changing the culture of an existing office building through design, branding and marketing.

Comparisons will be drawn with other sectors where lifestyle connections are used to create value. We will focus on understanding the potential tenant profile, and the relevance of branding to office buildings.

The seminar will discuss the potential for a more sophisticated approach to defining the culture of a completed development in order to provide a unique appeal to the target tenant market.

(3B) LESSONS FROM IBERIA
This session has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

(3C) VANITY TO SANITY
Post Lehman, the focus for development has been around generating better returns and investment value whilst producing flexible buildings which can secure a tenant. Yet highly flexible buildings catering for every eventuality offer challenges in this economy. This seminar will focus on identifying what “sanity” is in development in 2013 and beyond.

It will look at how the office sector has changed in recent years as we all adjust to a new economy. In the new economic climate, the appetite for risk is greatly reduced and the office market has become more conservative in its approach to development.

(3D) WHERE NEXT FOR THE BCO GUIDE TO SPECIFICATION?
The next edition of the BCO Guide to Specification is in development and we would like to offer you this opportunity to influence it. This publication has been setting the standards for office development in the UK and beyond since 1994. As the next edition will celebrate 20 years of the BCO Guide to Office Specification, this seminar offers members the opportunity to reflect on just how influential this document has become and to review some of the many changes that have occurred in this period, for example the growth of the green agenda. The Specification has also had an international scope as it is envied by other office development markets.

SESSION 04

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Thursday 16 May, 17:15-18:45

(4A) INNOVATION IN AUSTERITY
In 1987 phase 2 of Broadgate was built in 10 months and in 1993 LUL’s Canary Wharf 280,000 sq ft fit out was done in 26 weeks. In 2013 both of these projects would take twice the time. Innovation does not happen in a boom, now is the time.

Can we achieve radical change through better briefing, industry restructuring, hi-tech design to build (BIM) and off-site manufacturing? We need to improve quality, cost, speed – and profit margins.

(4B) SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: LESSONS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
Is our property industry too slow and wasteful? Are our buildings using more resources than they need? And does this have a detrimental effect on building owners and occupiers? Join the BCO’s NextGen, and a panel of developers, architects and engineers, for an informal town square discussion about how we can learn valuable lessons in property design and construction, both from the UK and other countries.

By challenging our orthodoxies, can we create better work place environments? And can we make sustainability the obvious commercial choice?

(4C) BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM)
The design community are familiar with BIM, for the rest of the office sector it is a new development. This seminar is aiming to address both those ‘in the know’ and also those who would like to learn about BIM.

The BCO President, James Wates, identified BIM as an important new area of research for the BCO and as an important new development for the office sector. It has been heralded as essential for all large scale public sector developments as it cuts down on waste, identifies clashes and makes the development process more efficient.

SESSION 05

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Friday 17 May, 10:30-12:00

(5A) BREAKFAST WITH THE CONTRACTORS
A lively debate to wake everyone up on a Friday morning. The central debating point will the impact of the downturn on office development, how contractors are responding to their client’s challenges, and how they are developing innovative solutions to beat the market.