Construction Innovation Hub
|
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
On 30 November 2018, Business & Industry Minister Richard Harrington MP announced £72 million Government funding for the Transforming Construction Alliance (TCA) to deliver a national Core Innovation Hub (CIH). The funding followed a nationwide competition as part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
The Construction Innovation Hub existed until April 2023, drawing on the expertise of three industry organisations:
- Building Research Establishment (BRE)
- Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB)
- Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).
It was also supported by a wide range of construction, academic and government bodies.
[edit] Objectives
CIH was tasked with changing the way buildings and infrastructure are designed, manufactured, integrated and connected in the built environment and – as a catalyst for change – driving collaboration. This, it was hoped would develop, commercialise and promote digital and manufacturing technologies for construction, to build smarter, greener and more efficient buildings.
[edit] Research
The hub’s research activities were targetted to help understand how the construction industry should change in terms of skills, product standards, capacity and innovation. Combined with an academic programme, it was hoped this would help achieve the security-minded frameworks and rules which would underpin the future digital-built environment and grow UK exports. Working closely with the government’s Transforming Construction challenge programme, and collaborating across construction, the Hub aimed to support a better built environment for future generations..
[edit] Emulating other industries
Fundamental to the Hub's approach was the recognition that the way buildings are constructed is outdated – a building is typically hand-built, nearly every time to order, using bespoke designs and different supply chains. If the car industry used this model, costs would rise, quality would vary widely and there would be higher running costs and risks to safety and the environment.
[edit] Supply chain
According to the Hub, the UK has an acute supply-chain shortage in respect of the £650m pipeline of critical infrastructure and construction investment required to 2025.
The Hub maintained that the construction sector needed to transform the way buildings are designed, manufactured, integrated and connected within the built environment in order to create high-performing assets based on digital and advanced manufacturing.
The Hub hopes to induce the structural change that will allow such transformations to take place.
[edit] Industry Board
In 2019, the Transforming Construction Alliance became the Construction Innovation Hub, and a new Industry Board was created to ensure key industry decision makers and leaders help to shape its programme of work.
Keith Waller, Programme Director for the Construction Innovation Hub said:
“The Construction Innovation Hub is working with government, academia, the Construction Leadership Council and other industry leaders to develop solutions that can be used across projects and sectors. But I want our programme to go further. I want to ensure key industry decision makers and leaders help shape the Construction Innovation Hub, so it can deliver for industry as well as society at large. Our new Industry Board will help us develop the framework we need, focusing on those outputs that will make a real difference”.
[edit] Outputs
In terms of outputs, the Hub produced a number of key outputs not least:
Defining the Need - a review of over £50bn social infrastructure pipeline, identifying points of commonality and opportunity to harmonise, digitise and rationalise specifications and requirements
Value Toolkit - a suite of tools, processes and guidance designed to support better decision-making throughout the investment lifecycle of a project.
Product Platform Rulebook - an open access industry guide to educate, enable and empower industry to develop and deploy product platforms
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Advanced construction technology.
- All-Party Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group.
- Architecture and the need for innovation.
- Artificial intelligence and civil engineering.
- Barriers to innovation and Construction 2025.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Construction Innovation.
- Construction sector deal
- Digital Built Britain.
- ECA welcomes the Value Toolkit for the construction industry.
- Industrial Strategy.
- Innovation in construction projects.
- Innovation – the key differentiator.
- Is Disruptive Innovation possible in the Construction Industry?
- Lean Six Sigma.
- Low Impact Building Innovation Platform.
- Manufacturing Technology Centre.
- Modern methods of construction.
- Rethinking Construction Innovation and Research: A Review of Government Policies and Practices.
- Shaping the Future of Construction: Inspiring innovators redefine the industry.
- Standardising structural elements: A platform for construction innovation.
- The Value Toolkit.
- Transforming Construction Alliance.
- Transforming infrastructure performance.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.