Drive the market.

What the construction market builds

Sixteen segments.
One global market.

• Airports.

  Airports now compete as commercial destinations. Non‑aeronautical revenue represents 37% of global airport income and is forecast to reach USD 99 billion by 2033.

  Terminal expansions, lounges, retail and hospitality create demanding specifications for materials, lighting, acoustics, climate control and safety. Every airport investment brings opportunities across multiple building systems and product categories.

  Airport investment reaches far beyond runways and terminals. Premium lounges, hospitality, food and beverage, retail and transport connections all require carefully coordinated products. Passenger volumes demand surfaces and systems that perform under constant use, while operators seek better energy efficiency and stronger commercial returns. Manufacturers can engage both infrastructure teams and the architects shaping customer‑facing spaces. Every terminal upgrade opens a new specification cycle, and successful products can become references for subsequent airport developments worldwide.

• Culture.

  The world’s 100 most visited museums attracted more than 200 million visitors in 2025. Cities invest in museums, theatres, libraries and cultural landmarks to strengthen their international appeal.

  These long‑life buildings demand outstanding architecture alongside conservation‑grade environmental control, visitor safety, accessibility and material durability. Successful products become part of landmark references for decades.

  Investment in culture supports tourism, education and neighbourhood regeneration. The opportunity extends from major museums to theatres, galleries, libraries and adaptable exhibition spaces. These projects require precise environmental control, durable public interiors and architectural materials selected to last. Their designers must protect collections while welcoming large and diverse audiences. Manufacturers that understand conservation, accessibility and long‑term operations can influence specifications early and demonstrate their capabilities in buildings with exceptional public visibility and international recognition.

• Data Centres.

  Data centre construction investment reached USD 144 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 324 billion by 2031. AI and cloud infrastructure are increasing demand for capacity, while power and grid constraints make efficient delivery essential.

  Cooling, electrical infrastructure, fire protection and fast installation are central to specification decisions. For owners, the priority is bringing reliable capacity online quickly without compromising energy performance.

  That creates demand for power distribution, cooling, fire protection, structural systems and advanced building envelopes. Grid constraints make efficient design especially valuable, and the growth of AI is increasing technical requirements. Manufacturers able to demonstrate measurable performance and dependable delivery can become essential partners in major programmes. These projects reward technical evidence, repeatable solutions and close engagement with engineers, operators and specialist contractors.

• Education.

  The global education construction pipeline stands at USD 286 billion, with USD 61 billion in spending projected for 2026. Growing regions need new schools and campuses; mature markets need better, more efficient existing buildings.

  Healthy indoor air, acoustics, durability, accessibility and whole‑life cost drive purchasing decisions across this resilient public and private market. New construction and refurbishment create different but equally significant opportunities.

  Fast‑growing populations need additional schools and campuses; established markets need better buildings with healthier indoor environments and lower operating costs. Education facilities are used intensively and must remain adaptable as teaching methods evolve. Acoustics, lighting, ventilation, safety and durable finishes all affect learning conditions. Manufacturers can build long‑term relationships through public procurement, design standards and repeatable solutions across school networks and university estates.

• Entertainment.

  Entertainment investment is accelerating, from Qiddiya’s performing arts venues to London’s immersive experience economy. Arenas, theatres and digital venues must adapt rapidly between events and accommodate live, digital and broadcast audiences.

  Flexible interiors, acoustics, lighting, crowd flow and safety create opportunities for innovative building products. Immersive attractions, live performance venues, esports facilities and multipurpose arenas are transforming the visitor experience.

  Their buildings must switch rapidly between events and serve physical and digital audiences at the same time. That demands sophisticated acoustics, lighting, crowd circulation, safety and flexible interiors. Manufacturers have opportunities across the performance space, public concourses, hospitality areas and supporting infrastructure. Strong technical collaboration with designers and operators can turn one high‑profile venue into a reference for future entertainment developments.

• Government.

  Public construction spending in the United States reached an annualised USD 533 billion in April 2026. Government buildings and civic infrastructure combine long‑term investment with rigorous standards for accessibility, safety, resilience and sustainability.

  Products proven on public projects can establish credentials and specification benchmarks across a wider market. Government investment encompasses civic buildings, administrative campuses, public facilities and major international destinations.

  Procurement frequently places particular weight on accessibility, fire protection, security, environmental performance and whole‑life cost. These are demanding projects, but their influence extends beyond the public sector. Proven solutions can inform standards subsequently adopted by private developers. Manufacturers that meet rigorous technical requirements and provide credible performance evidence gain an opportunity to establish lasting trust with consultants, public clients and contractors.

• Healthcare.

  The global healthcare buildings market stands at USD 308 billion in 2026. New hospitals, clinics, diagnostics and outpatient facilities are changing the healthcare landscape.

  Infection control, air quality, fire protection, acoustics and continuous operational reliability make healthcare a demanding, high‑value specification market. Healthcare delivery is also shifting towards smaller local facilities, creating a broader mix of project sizes and procurement routes.

  Hospitals, outpatient centres and diagnostic hubs share demanding requirements for hygiene, air handling, fire safety and reliable operation. Buildings must support patients and clinical teams while remaining operational during maintenance and upgrades. Modular methods are creating further possibilities for faster delivery. Manufacturers that can document compliance, durability and lifecycle value are well positioned in a market where specifications carry exceptional responsibility.

• Hospitality.

  The global hotel construction pipeline reached 15,976 projects and approximately 2.4 million rooms in Q2 2026. Conversions, rebranding and branded residences add further momentum.

  From guestrooms to wellness and public spaces, international operators require durable, consistent and efficient products, creating repeatable opportunities across entire portfolios. New developments are only part of the opportunity.

  Hotel conversions, brand changes and renovations are creating repeated demand as owners reposition existing assets. Branded residences extend hospitality specifications into residential environments. Products must support guest comfort, operational efficiency, design identity and intensive daily use. International hotel groups also create potential for repeat specifications across multiple properties and countries. Manufacturers who understand brand standards and the practical realities of refurbishment can engage developers, operators, architects and procurement teams at several stages.

• Industrial.

  Europe needs an estimated EUR 150 billion in additional logistics space, while reshoring and automation are driving investment in factories and distribution centres. Higher power density, structural capacity, temperature control and fast construction are becoming essential.

  Industrial assets offer large‑scale, repeatable demand for technically proven solutions. Factories and distribution centres increasingly depend on automation, advanced building services and continuous operations.

  This raises expectations for structural strength, power infrastructure, climate control and installation speed. Developers also need to manage energy costs, permitting delays and constrained sites. Industrial portfolios can generate repeat orders where products demonstrate reliability and straightforward maintenance. Manufacturers have opportunities across both new facilities and upgrades to existing assets, especially when their solutions improve throughput, resilience or long‑term operating efficiency.

• Leisure.

  The global leisure and hospitality construction pipeline stands at USD 1.88 trillion. Major destinations bring together attractions, hotels, restaurants, retail, transport and public space.

  Projects such as Qiddiya illustrate how a single masterplan generates specifications across many building types. The opportunity extends from individual products to entire destinations.

  Theme parks, integrated resorts, cultural attractions and destination districts require far more than signature buildings. Hotels, restaurants, retail, transport connections and public spaces must work together as one visitor journey. That breadth creates opportunities across many product categories within a single masterplan. Developers must coordinate ambitious architecture with safety, resilience, operational efficiency and intense visitor use. Manufacturers who engage early can support multiple assets, build relationships across the project team and develop specifications that travel from one destination to the next.

• Offices.

  Prime office space commands a premium even as older buildings are converted or repositioned. In London, prime Grade A City tower vacancy stood at just 0.9%.

  Investors are prioritising energy performance, workplace quality and adaptability. New builds and retrofits create demand for facades, building systems, lighting, acoustics and high‑quality interiors.

  Workplace quality is now central to attracting tenants and supporting employee performance. Owners are investing in better ventilation, lighting, acoustics, energy efficiency and adaptable interiors. At the same time, older office stock is being refurbished or converted to alternative uses. This creates two connected markets: premium new developments and technically complex upgrades. Manufacturers able to serve both can build relationships with investors, occupiers, architects and facilities teams, demonstrating how products protect asset value and improve day‑to‑day experience.

• Residential.

  The global residential real estate market is valued at USD 11.6 trillion in 2026. Structural housing shortages and institutional rental investment are increasing demand for scalable, durable buildings.

  Energy efficiency, acoustic comfort and low maintenance costs are essential to long‑term asset performance, opening the door to portfolio‑wide specifications. Build‑to‑rent and other institutionally owned housing formats are bringing a stronger focus on operational performance.

  Investors need durable interiors, efficient building services, good acoustic separation and manageable maintenance costs over decades. Housing shortages are also driving demand for faster delivery and scalable construction methods. Manufacturers can win specifications across large portfolios rather than isolated projects. The opportunity spans new communities, urban infill, conversions and refurbishment, with repeatability and lifecycle value increasingly important to purchasing decisions.

• Retail.

  International brands are investing in distinctive flagship stores and shopping destinations that combine architecture, hospitality and experience. Physical retail increasingly depends on the quality of the space itself.

  Facades, finishes, lighting, acoustics and interior systems help express brand identity, with opportunities across global store rollouts and refurbishments. Physical stores must now give customers reasons to visit, stay and return.

  Luxury flagships, mixed‑use shopping centres and experience‑led destinations are investing in memorable architecture and high‑quality interiors. Finishes, lighting, facades and materials become part of how a brand expresses itself. Global retailers also value consistency across their locations, creating opportunities for approved products and international rollouts. Manufacturers that combine design quality, reliable supply and installation efficiency can participate in both flagship projects and recurring refurbishment programmes.

• Science.

  Beijing and Shanghai account for more than 13.7 million square feet of life sciences construction. Research facilities require adaptable laboratories, precise environmental control, resilient services and vibration isolation.

  As research changes, buildings must change with it, rewarding manufacturers whose solutions offer flexibility and technical assurance. Laboratories and innovation campuses require buildings that can change as research advances.

  The most valuable facilities offer adaptable layouts, robust building services, precise environmental control and protection from vibration. Pharmaceutical manufacturing and specialist research add further technical requirements. Investors and occupiers need flexibility without compromising safety or performance. Manufacturers that support modularity, reliability and compliance can build strong relationships with laboratory planners, engineers and scientific organisations. A successful specification may be repeated across research estates and future developments.

• Senior Living.

  Ageing populations are creating long‑term demand for senior living, assisted living and integrated care. In the United States, the estimated investment gap through 2050 reaches USD 1 trillion.

  The next generation of buildings combines residential comfort, hospitality amenities and healthcare‑grade performance, opening opportunities across three connected segments. Senior living combines residential comfort with hospitality services, wellness and access to care.

  New communities are moving away from institutional layouts towards welcoming environments that support independence and social connection. This creates demand for accessible bathrooms, safe circulation, acoustic comfort, durable surfaces and efficient building systems. Investors also focus on long‑term maintenance and operating performance. Manufacturers can serve a growing asset class that draws on expertise from housing, hotels and healthcare, with opportunities across new developments and the repositioning of existing buildings.

• Sports.

  The global stadium and arena construction pipeline stands at USD 192 billion. New venues are designed as year‑round entertainment destinations, with hospitality, retail and public space extending beyond the stadium bowl.

  Major structures, crowd safety, lighting, acoustics and durable finishes create some of construction’s largest individual procurement opportunities. Contemporary stadiums are designed to operate throughout the year, hosting concerts, conferences, hospitality and community events alongside sport.

  The investment extends beyond the arena into hotels, retail, public space and transport infrastructure. Within the venue, complex requirements for crowd movement, acoustics, lighting, safety and heavy use shape specifications. Manufacturers can contribute across many building systems, often within exceptionally large procurement packages. A successful stadium project can provide a highly visible reference and open doors to further international developments.