JCT Povey Lecture 2025

Human-Centred, Evidence-Based, Augmented Intelligence in Building Design

Thursday, 13 November 2025

About the webinar

Diego Padilla-Philipps, director, Decarbonisation and Innovation for Building Structures, WSP, will give the JCT Povey Lecture 2025, entitled “Human-Centred, Evidence-Based, Augmented Intelligence in Building Design”.

Diego will discuss the transformative power of automation and AI in the design of better buildings, and its potential to help us navigate the complexities of modern projects, ambitious sustainability targets, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Automation is allowing us to integrate multiple objectives and generate thousands of design options during the concept stage. This enables clients to choose the most optimal design early in the project, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.

The future of design is already here, and it is going to change everything.

EVENT SPEAKERS

The JCT Povey Lecture will be hosted by JCT vice-chair, Sean Smylie. Join us for this opportunity to hear from one of the industry’s leading figures.

Sean Smylie

Sean SmylieJCT vice-chair

Sean Smylie is a director of Quantex Consulting Ltd, a construction consultancy based in the West Midlands.

Representing the Contractor’s College at JCT, he has over 40 years’ practical experience in the construction industry, predominantly on the contracting side, undertaking various commercial roles including that of commercial director of a significant contracting organisation.

His current work is primarily in dispute resolution, acting as an adjudicator and quantum expert for a variety of construction and engineering projects.

Diego Padilla-Philipps

Diego Padilla-Philippsdirector, Decarbonisation and Innovation for Building Structures, WSP

Diego Padilla-Philipps is WSP’s director of Decarbonisation and Innovation for Building Structures. In this role he works towards creating zero carbon buildings to address the climate emergency. He has led the creation of WSP’s structures decarbonisation roadmap and continues to deliver on its commitment to half the emissions of their designs and advice by 2030.

Diego’s current focus is on digital innovation, harvesting the power of AI to create tools and processes that help engineers, designers, and clients to create better buildings. As a structural engineer his experience varies from tall building design to complex basements, from office refurbishments to cultural venues. He was the lead engineer for the design and delivery of 22 Bishopsgate, London.

EVENT SCHEDULE

We will be live streaming a rolling animation 20 minutes before the lecture begins so viewers can check their audio and video are working correctly. Every effort will be made to start the lecture promptly at 4.00pm.

13th November 2025 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Schedule

FAQs

Here is a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the live stream

01. General
02. Technical

01. General

Can I attend the event in person?

No, the event will be solely delivered over a live stream. We hope that by hosting the event this way it is open to viewers that wouldn’t normally be able to attend the physical event due to geography and their work location.

Will I receive an email confirming my registration?

Yes, once you have registered, you will receive confirmation that your place has been secured, plus other information about the event such as the live stream URL and testing instructions.

How can I ask questions for the Q&A session?

There will be a text interface under the video stream in which you can ask questions at any point during the main lecture.

02. Technical

Do I need to set a password ?

No, you don’t. Once you have registered, you’ll be sent an email containing the website URL to click and access on the day of the lecture.

Can I test my device/connection before the day of the event?

Yes, you can and we strongly recommend this for ALL users. There will be very limited technical assistance available on the day of the event. Two weeks before the live broadcast, we will send out a test link to all register users and will provide technical assistance to resolve any issues with viewing the test video.

What link do I need to see the live stream on the day?

The weblink will be in the email sent to all registered viewers. You will be able to access the live stream over phone, tablet and desktop devices without having to download any additional software or apps.