_shift 2025:  BIM Technologies Joins  Climate  Changemakers  to Accelerate Decarbonisation

Space Group’s annual _shift conference made a much-awaited return to Newcastle University’s Henry Daysh Building on the 5th of November 2025, bringing together innovators and thought-leaders from different corners of the industry for a dynamic day of sustainability-focused dialogue.  

As a core member of Space Group, BIM Technologies was part of delivering the event, connecting clients, partners, and changemakers to explore how digital innovation and accurate emissions data can shape a more effective sector-wide response to the climate emergency. 

Now in its fourth year, _shift has grown into one of the UK's most anticipated conference events. It is an annual opportunity for architects, digital specialists, manufacturers, local authorities, and researchers to join under the same roof to explore the ideas and technologies capable of accelerating decarbonisation across the built environment.  

This year’s conference placed a stronger emphasis on BIM-centric workflows, digital analytics, and early-stage modelling as tools for low-carbon design, featuring contributions from inspiring voices within the built environment and beyond. 

Chris Hines MBE, returning chair for _shift gave a powerful opening address, discussing his experience working for Surfers Against Sewage in the 1990s. Following this, Keynote Speaker Clover Hogan delivered an eloquent and well-researched presentation on decarbonising the industry, offering her unique insights as a young climate activist. Other talks were led by Gareth Kane, Jillian Hardie, and Barbara Jones, respectively drawing attention to policy concerns, the role of retrofitting, and the use of alternative building materials such as straw bales to reduce carbon emissions. Finally, a fascinating talk by Journalist and Eco-Adventurer Andy Pag demonstrated how far ambition and innovation can take you. 

These themes are closely aligned with BIM Technologies' own approach. Throughout 2025, the company has collaborated with clients, architects, and contractors to integrate carbon modelling, common data structures, and digital coordination into the initial development stages of projects. By establishing clear and consistent information pathways at the early stages, BIM Technologies enables teams to evaluate carbon impact with conviction and reduce their whole-life carbon emissions. Through research, innovation, and a collective determination, we have aided in the net zero mission. 

The launch of the ‘D-CARB’ tool at _shift 2025 was a notable moment for us. Co-developed by Catherine Sinclair, Head of Research at SPACE Architects, during her Knowledge Transfer Partnership with SPACE and Northumbria, D-CARB enables designers and architects to assess the whole life carbon of their projects at the earliest stage. Tools like D-CARB reflect the direction the sector is moving in, and the technologies that must be implemented during the design process if we are to reduce whole-life carbon. BIM Technologies strongly encourages project teams and clients to adopt this free tool and implement it into their early-stage workflows to deliver quick and reliable carbon assessments. 

Beyond the presentations, one of the standout aspects of _shift 2025 was the atmosphere itself. The room was full of energy, with the buzz continuing long after each session ended. For those of us working with digital innovations, it reaffirmed that technology, determination, and shared purpose are essential to accelerating decarbonisation across the built environment.  

For BIM Technologies, the day provided a valuable opportunity to reconnect with project partners and clients who share our ambition to advance low-carbon delivery through better data, improved workflows, and more integrated digital processes. As always, the event served as a bridge across Space Group, strengthening cooperation among BIM Technologies, Bimstore, SPACE Architects, and Twinview, while creating space for learning from broader industry perspectives. 

As _shift 2025 concluded, it was clear that whilst the conference continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for climate action, BIM Technologies is well positioned to help lead the next phase of digital transformation for sustainable design and construction. With a growing portfolio of projects using structured data, digital twins, and enhanced carbon assessments, the company will continue to work closely with Space Group partners and the wider built environment to accelerate progress in the coming new year, and beyond.