Experts discuss construction of the future

BAU—the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems—will begin in Munich in just a few weeks. From January 13 to 17, 2025, over 2,000 companies from 60 countries will present their solutions and products from the entire construction value chain. The exhibition space at BAU is 200,000 m² and therefore occupies all 18 halls at the Munich exhibition center. In addition to the innovations from the various trades, the supporting program provides an outlook on construction of the future.

The construction industry faces numerous challenges. The need for housing and demands for cheaper, simpler and faster construction are continuing to increase. Likewise, architecture also needs to adapt to changing climatic conditions. The BAU supporting program addresses and discusses these important issues.

Forums with well-known international architects

Among the highlights of the lecture program are the sessions and discussion rounds with prominent representatives from the fields of architecture and planning. These include Carlo Ratti, the renowned curator of the Architecture Biennale 2025 in Venice. He will open the program on Wednesday, January 15, at 10:30 a.m. in the forum “The Future of Building” (Hall C2, booth 303) with an inspiring lecture that will shed light on the future of architecture and urban planning. Visitors can also look forward to Satoshi Ohashi, Zaha Hadid Architects. He will be speaking on Friday, January 17, at 2 p.m. in the forum “The Future of Building” on current projects that the internationally renowned architecture firm is working on, particularly in Asia. At 3:30 pm, Prof. Dr. Anupama Kundoo, another renowned speaker, will follow at the same location. Her work at TU Berlin, which focuses on research into new and sustainable materials with socio-economic benefits, has resulted in human-centered architecture. Also on the last day of the fair, Friday, January 17, at 4 p.m., Julian Weyer, C.F. Moller, will present role models of sustainability (DGNB Forum, Hall C2, Stand 518).

Other top speakers include Verena von Beckerath, Oana Bogdan, Elisabeth Endres, Andrea Klinge and Martin Rauch.

Special shows focus on key topics of BAU 2025

The upcoming world-leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems will focus on five key topics: resilient, climate-friendly construction, urban, rural and neighborhood transformation, resource efficiency, modular, serial and productive construction, and cost-effective construction. These can also be found in the various special shows. The motto of the DGNB special show, for example, is “Sustainable Building – How It’s Done” (Hall C2, Stand 518). The Fraunhofer Building Alliance is focusing on affordable, sustainable and safe construction (Hall C2, Stand 528). In view of the persistently high CO2 emissions, ift Rosenheim (Hall B3, Stand 331) will be demonstrating how construction projects can be implemented in a climate-safe, sustainable and climate-resilient manner. Other special shows include the sample boxes from Material Bank (Hall A4, Stand 133), the training arena of the National Team German Construction Federation (West Entrance), the Innovation course for the skilled trades of the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Handwerk (Hall C3, Stand 601) and the Exhibition energy-efficient buildings of the Bavarian Chamber of Architects (West Entrance, gallery).

Start-up Area: platform for young companies from the construction industry

Together with its new partner “The Builders Tech Club”, Messe München is providing young companies with their own area at BAU 2025 (Hall A3). Start-ups from the construction industry will showcase their innovations there and benefit from the world-leading trade fair’s international network. The Start-up Stage also offers various formats in which companies can present themselves. These range from lectures and panel discussions to interactive formats in which visitors can also take part in the discussions. A highlight of the Start-up Area will take place on the second day of the trade fair (Tuesday, January 14, 2025). At the Founders Fight Night, start-ups will compete against each other in a pitching competition. What’s special is that the venue is not a stage, but a boxing ring. The audience will decide on the winners of the verbal competition by vote.

Award ceremonies and guided tours round off the extensive supporting program. As a world-leading trade fair, BAU is a suitable stage for prestigious awards. On the first day of the trade fair (Monday, January 13), manufacturers of innovative products, materials and systems will receive the Innovation Award Architecture + Building. The winners of the competition “Auf IT gebaut – Bauberufe mit Zukunft” (Built on IT – construction professions with a future) will be announced on Tuesday, January 14. The Balthasar Neumann Prize for architecture, which has been awarded since 1994, will be presented at BAU on Wednesday, January 15. The BAKA Federal Renovation Association will even be holding two award ceremonies on Wednesday, January 15: BAKA Award – Prize for Product Innovation and Education Offensive 2050.

The Guided Tours range from Talks+Tours by World Architects, guided DGNB tours, Material Tour with Material Bank, and architecture tours, to tours for construction craftsmen, and start-up guided tours.