Honouring those that build our world

If you live in the UK, you probably know that St Paul’s Cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. You probably also know that the original design for the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol was by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. You might even know that The Shard was designed by an Italian architect with the superb name, Renzo Piano.

However, the name of the man who laid the foundation stone for St Paul’s has been lost in the mists of time. No one recalls the names of the men who made the steel cables that support the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Who knows the names of the men and women who installed the glass panels on the fa?ade of The Shard?

But the names of those people and many more like them are not just obscured; they are overlooked entirely.

Each year, the nation pauses - rightly — to remember those killed in battle in service of king or queen and country. Whenever there is a major catastrophe - Grenfell Tower, COVID-19 - we are in awe of the first responders: the police and fire service; the doctors and the nurses.

We rightfully honour those who serve in battle and those who respond to crises. But where do they live, train, and work? In barracks, stations, and hospitals - structures built by the very people we often forget.

There are no statues to the men and women of demolition and construction. There is no day of remembrance to those from the industry who gave their lives in service.

Some might argue that there is a certain nobility to a death in battle. Even though the human species should have evolved beyond conflict resolution by force and violence, I accept that. But is there not a nobility to the construction of a hospital, a school, a place of learning? Is building something that will stand for hundreds of years not a noble pursuit? Do we not owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who build our houses, our roads, our bridges, ports, harbours, airports, schools, colleges, universities, and libraries?

And this is not just a matter of honouring the fallen of our industry; those who gave their lives within the demolition and construction sector. Although I do believe that there should be a suitable national monument, a focal point for an industry’s mourning, this is about more than that.

We are constantly talking about the need to inspire the next generation of demolition and construction workers. Citing Isambard Kingdom Brunel or holding up Sir Christopher Wren as an inspirational example today doesn’t fly. Those men - and many more like them - are beyond the memory and aspiration of most. If we are to encourage the working men and women of tomorrow, we need to celebrate the working men and women of today.

And there is much to celebrate.

Construction isn’t just work; it’s legacy. Every beam secured, every brick laid, every road paved is a mark on history.? The structures built today will shape communities for generations. Every demolished building makes way for progress, whether it’s a new hospital, a school, or a cutting-edge development.

The construction industry is a significant contributor to the United Kingdom's economy. In 2018, it contributed ￡117 billion to the UK's Gross Domestic Product, accounting for approximately 6% of the total GDP. In terms of employment, the construction industry plays a vital role. As of the second quarter of 2019, it provided jobs for approximately 2.4 million individuals, representing 6.6% of all UK employment. The industry’s performance has a direct impact on the broader economic landscape. In the third quarter of 2024, the UK's GDP experienced a modest growth of 0.1%.? ?New construction work was a primary driver of this increase.

Beyond the economic contributions, construction is a legacy industry. The great monuments of history - the Pyramids of Egypt, the Colosseum in Rome, the Great Wall of China - stand as enduring testaments to the brilliance and perseverance of builders, not just the architects who designed them. Even today, the homes, schools, hospitals, and offices built across the UK are the foundation upon which society stands.

Yet, despite the crucial nature of the work, the industry struggles with recognition. The term “blue-collar worker” is often used dismissively, as if those who work with their hands are somehow less valuable than those who work behind desks. And yet, without blue-collar workers, white-collar workers would have nowhere to sit.

Architects like Sir Christopher Wren and Isambard Kingdom Brunel were ahead of their time. But without the men and women of construction, they were just two blokes who were quite good at drawing.

Consider, for a moment, the sheer effort involved in any major construction project. The bridges that connect our cities, the tunnels that run beneath them, the skyscrapers that define our skylines—all of these require immense skill, dedication, and expertise. Every girder placed, every brick laid, every beam secured is the result of hard labour and precise execution. To dismiss such work as “unskilled” is a profound misunderstanding of what it truly entails.

And let’s be clear. Architects like Wren and Brunel were amazing. Incredible. Ahead of their time. But without the men and women of construction, they were just two blokes who were quite good at drawing.? Their dreams and visions would have remained just that.

It is time we celebrate those who build. It is time we recognise the labour, skill, and dedication that go into shaping the world we live in. The construction industry deserves its place in the national consciousness, not as an afterthought, but as a pillar of society.

Perhaps it’s time for a National Construction Workers' Day. A moment each year to honour those who shape our world, ensuring their contributions are no longer taken for granted.? A monument to honour those who gave their lives building for the future. A change in mindset that appreciates that without builders, nothing else would stand.

Because when the dust settles, when the scaffolding comes down, and when the ribbon is cut on a brand-new building, it is not just the architects who should be applauded. It is the men and women of construction - the unsung heroes of progress - who deserve to be remembered.

This topic was the subject of an in-depth discussion on today's after show chat. You can listen to the resulting podcast here.

This article was written by Mark Anthony, founder and editor of DemolitionNews.com.

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