Date: 17 to 22 January 2011
Venue: New Munich Trade Fair Centre, Germany
BAU 2011, the World's Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials,
Systems, takes place from 17 to 22 January 2011 at the New Munich Trade Fair
Centre. Over 1,900 exhibitors from more than 40 countries are expected to take
part, and more than 210,000 visitors from around 150 countries. On show at BAU
on 180,000 square metres of exhibition space will be architectural solutions,
materials and systems for industrial, residential and commercial construction,
and for interior fitting. Every two years this event brings together market
leaders from the sector to participate in a unique display of competence
spanning all the construction trades. BAU is also the world´s largest trade fair
for architects and engineers, attracting over 38,000 design professionals. The
range of building materials on display at the fair is grouped into product and
theme sections. Key topics for the future of the industry, such as sustainable
building, play an important role in all sections of the exhibition. The many
attractive events in the accompanying programme, including high-calibre forums
with experts from all over the world, round off this industry showcase.
Sustainability is a word that is on everybody´s lips. In the field of
architecture and construction, sustainability means building in a way that is
cost-efficient, environmentally friendly and sparing on the use of resources, to
create buildings in which the users feel comfortable, healthy and secure, and
which blend well into the socio-cultural environment. To what extent this can be
successful, and how to turn this into reality will be a top theme at BAU 2011.
In the exhibition halls and in the accompanying programme at the event
interest will focus on the sustainable design, planning and management of
buildings. For BAU sustainability is not a new theme. It has been focusing on
this important topic now for some years. "We are simply continuing the theme of
energy efficiency at BAU 2011," explained BAU´s Exhibition Director, Markus
Geisenberger. "The umbrella term of sustainability now covers themes such as
careful use of resources and cost-efficiency, but also health and social aspects,
too."
© Messe München - P.G. Loske
Industry reacts to demands from investors
BAU 2011 will be demonstrating the contribution being made by the suppliers,
i.e. the manufacturers of building materials, technology and systems, to the
theme of sustainability. Almost all the 1900 or so companies exhibiting at the
fair (BAU is again fully booked) will be offering solutions in this area:
whether it be innovative materials, intelligent building technology or specific
management models for cooperation with building firms and real-estate experts.
The exhibiting industry is thus reacting to demand from investors and real-estate
owners, because one thing is clear: More and more investors in the coming years
will want to invest in sustainable buildings. Experts expect that property that
does not meet certain minimum standards will soon be much more difficult to
market.
Sustainability is in the spotlight in BAU 2011´s accompanying programme
The accompanying programme of events and lectures at BAU 2011 will also focus on
the theme of sustainability in all its facets. In the forums at BAU, in
particular in the forum called 'The Future of Building', there will be many
lectures on the theme. "Together with our partners we are inviting high-ranking
experts to talk to this audience about the specific requirements of sustainable
building and to illustrate these with examples of projects," promises Exhibition
Director Geisenberger.
Special shows on the subject of sustainability
The special shows at BAU 2011 will also be concentrating on the theme of
sustainability from a range of angles. The ift Rosenheim, for example, is
teaming up with leading manufacturers to show how the use of high-performance,
innovative windows and facades can contribute to sustainable buildings and 'energy-plus'
houses. The Fraunhofer Allianz Bau will be putting on a special show on
intelligent building, spotlighting innovative technologies emerging from
building research. Sustainability is the top theme here, too. And sustainable
building is also the focus of a special display on 'Building for the generations
- economic, flexible, universal', being put on by BAU in cooperation with the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gerontotechnik ® (GGT).
Solar Decathlon Europe
Just what is involved in detail in designing and building sustainable buildings
will be on show at BAU 2011 in the entries to the competition 'Solar Decathlon
Europe 2010'. Nineteen different universities from Europe, America and Asia are
taking part in this competition. The challenge facing the student teams is to
design a building which derives its energy solely from the sun. The buildings of
the four German universities taking part in the Solar Decathlon Europe will be
featured at BAU 2011 and presented to the public for the first time. This is
certain to be a highlight for the trade visitors. In addition the other
competition entries will also be featured, at least as models. "With this
display BAU is providing an excellent overview of just what is possible in solar
architecture and how the latest findings from research can be implemented in
real buildings," said Geisenberger.
Research projects on energy-optimised construction
The German Ministry of Economics is planning an event on the subject of 'Energy-optimised
construction' (for more information, go to: enob.info ), which will be held
within the framework of BAU and report on the latest findings from research on
energy-efficient technologies.
The rapid rise of sustainability
Themes like environmental protection and low energy consumption have been a
concern for the real-estate and building industry since the 1970s. Now these
themes are being given top priority by politicians and business, not only in
Germany but around the world. The term sustainability, originally from the field
of forestry, was quickly extended to cover whole areas of society - with perhaps
the exception of banking. Today virtually every product must be able to present
sustainability credentials, and every production process is being
correspondingly optimised. The reason for the rapid rise of sustainability is
the continuing irresponsible consumption of resources and energy, combined with
rising prices, climate change and the debate about carbon emissions.
Competing evaluation systems
The building industry has a special responsibility here, because studies reveal
that in Germany alone between 30 and 40 percent (the figure differs from study
to study) of the energy resources used in the country are used in buildings. In
other countries the figures are no better. To help bring structure to the
efforts towards more sustainable design and building, a number of countries have
developed certification systems. The forerunners were Breeam (England), Casbee
(Japan), Leed (USA) and Green Star (Australia). Germany also now has its
'Gütesiegel Nachhaltiges Bauen'. The certificates are awarded by the Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB, German Sustainable Building Council).
"More and more suppliers, building companies, planners and real-estate experts
are wanting to shape the future of the sector and are helping with the design
and awarding of the certificates," said Professor Bernhard Bürklin, Head of
Corporate Projects at HOCHTIEF and Vice-President of the DGNB.
Today almost all major construction projects around the world are subject to
some kind of sustainability testing. The systems are competing with each other,
and no global certification system is in sight, also because of the different
building standards, regulations and cultures. Another problem is that precise
evaluation methods for individual elements such as windows, doors and facades
are not yet available, and will only be finalised during the course of 2010.
Already we can predict that the result will provide much material for debate in
January 2011 at BAU.
Please click to have a look at the plan of the grounds of BAU 2011.
Further Information:
www.bau-muenchen.com
german version 