Materials Matter: A Deep Dive into Material Innovation, Circularity and Low Impact Design
Abyss Founder & MD, Richard Nelson, will be representing Don’t Waste Buildings at this year’s Queen's University’s annual Sustainable Construction Conference 2026.
CLICK HERE to register your interest in attending.
Representing DWB will be:
Richard Nelson, DWB Co-Founder, Founder & Managing Director at Abyss Global, and Ambassador at the Institute of Directors Property and Built Environment Group, who will present recent research on how financially incentivising retrofit can spark UK economic growth; and
Scott Farrar, DWB Case Studies Lead and Associate & Sustainability Lead at Scott Brownrigg, who will present detailed analysis from the 20+ retrofit case study tours organised by Don’t Waste Buildings over the past two years
The full lineup of high-calibre speakers and moderators also includes:
Prof. Michael Alcorn MBE, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability and Strategic Projects, Queen’s University
Hattie Hartman, Architects’ Journal, Sustainability Editor
Duncan Baker-Brown, Founder - BakerBrown, RIBA Council, University of Brighton
Emma Houston, Project Associate - Troup Bywaters & Anders
Ann-Marie Fallon, Co Director Passivhaus Trust, Associate Director Architype, BE-ST Board Member, Coaction Trainer)
Dr Fragkoulis Kanavaris, Global Lead for Concrete Materials and Decarbonisation at Arup’s Specialist Technology, Analytics and Research Team in London
Dr Rory Doherty, Reader in Environmental Engineering, Queen’s University
Sam Hart, Associate Director - Housing & Manufacturing, BE-ST
Heather Evans, Partner, Head of Sustainability, Global Chair Sustainability Committee at Rider Levett Bucknall
Emma McKenna, Head of Sustainable Manufacturing – AMIC, Queen’s University
Sara Lynch, Head of Sustainability, Queen’s University
Nathan Campbell, Estates Manager (Sustainable Construction), Queen’s University
Event details:
Venue: Mandela Hall, One Elmwood, Queen’s Student Union (77 University Road, Belfast BT7 1NF)
Date: Tuesday, 24th February 2026
Time: 8:45am to 1:15pm GMT
Event type: In person
Cost: Free
Net zero targets are tightening, and carbon scrutiny is increasing. That puts material choices and circularity firmly in the spotlight. This year’s conference asks why ‘Materials Matter.’
Join us for a half-day event, to explore materials, circularity, and low-impact design, with a focus on innovative and best-practice. With insights from leading experts across the UK and Ireland, this conference is your chance to deepen expertise in these key areas.
Attendees can expect detailed insights, real-world case studies, and cross industry perspectives that are all aimed at accelerating sustainable transformation across construction and the built environment.
Registration will start at 08:45am GMT, with the event commencing at 09:30am GMT in the Mandela Hall on the ground floor.
Secure and covered cycle parking can be found adjacent to One Elmwood, please talk to a member of the registration team on arrival. To make a booking, we encourage participants to contact sustainability@qub.ac.uk at least 24 hrs prior to the event.
Uncovered, sheffield cycle stands are also located at the front of One Elmwood adjacent to 75 University Road.
For those with mobility needs, blue badge parking is available adjacent to the venue on Elmwood Avenue (https://w3w.co/allow.letter.even) or via Fitzwilliam Street car park barrier (https://w3w.co/focal.cloth.name).
Please note that there is limited on-street car parking available, delegates are encouraged to liftshare where possible and can avail of ‘Pay-as-You-Go’ Parking at Queen’s PEC (https://w3w.co/shades.term.string) or Stranmillis Car-Park (https://w3w.co/thus.locate.feared), both car parks are a 15-minute walk to the venue.
CLICK HERE to register your interest in attending.