The exhibition sections at BAU 2013: Materials, technologies, systems – Part 3
Foto: The exhibition sections at BAU 2013: Materials, technologies, systems – Part 3
BAU 2013 is a 180,000 m² showcase of materials, technologies and systems. That´s the equivalent of 25 football pitches filled with state-of-the-art technology for the international building and construction industry. In a five-part series, we present a succinct review of what the main focuses will be in 2013 in the individual sections at the fair. In Part 3, we look at chemical building products, aluminum, and steel / stainless steel / zinc / copper.
Chemical building products (Halls A4/A5)
From floor coverings to facade systems: chemical building products lie at the heart of advances and applications for modern materials, and have therefore traditionally been a key focus at BAU. "Across the different product areas at BAU the themes of sustainability and resource-protection will define the latest exhibition trends at BAU 2013," forecasts Norbert Schröter, Principal Managing Director at Deutsche Bauchemie e.V. "The chemical building products sector, traditionally strong in R&M business, is now also benefiting as the new-build segment gradually grows in strength, in that it now sees expanded opportunities to present its innovations in Munich to a wider circle of potential customers." The type of products here include for example resistant repair mortar which can be used to carry out lasting repairs on concrete surfaces even in low temperatures. Also fast-curing waterproofing slurries which can be used to seal repairs in ceramic surfaces in showers and swimming pools or in foundations. As well as surface treatments such as paints, varnishes and pigments, many materials for thermal, fire and sound insulation will also be presented.
Aluminum (Halls B1/C1)
Aluminum opens the way for a range of exciting visual effects on facades: the wavy, almost flowing building envelope of the Agfa administration building in Munich (by Büschl Architekten + Ingenieure) is a woven facade structure of white-coated aluminum (facade design: Hild und K Architekten). In St. Pölten, Austria, the new court building makes a bold urban statement with its copper-and-aluminum alloy facade cladding (architects: Christian Kronaus and Erhard An-He Kinzelbach). The material is also used in solar shading components and in light-diverting systems integrated between panes of glass, both of which are ways of reducing thermal gain in buildings and utilizing daylight effectively, in order to save energy. In addition to this are developments and new product ideas in aluminum profiles and systems, all on show at the fair, as well as the machinery and tools needed for working with aluminum and steel.
Steel/stainless steel/zinc/copper (Hall B2)
Whether for load-bearing structures, facades or solar shading systems, for roofs or walls, or for generating renewable energy, steel is an essential part of modern and sustainable building. BAU 2013 will be showcasing the latest developments. Of growing importance from a point of view of resource-efficiency, are high-strength steels, used in particular in building high-rises and bridges. A current example is the Torre Diamante in Milan (architects: Kohn Pederson Fox), which at 130 meters high, is the highest steel tower erected in Italy so far.
A big advantage of steel is that the building components are re-usable, or can be 100% recycled without losing quality. Many exhibitors at BAU will be informing visitors about product developments and applications in sustainability and resource-efficiency. Steel frames give buildings a long life span, because the lightness and flexibility of a steel frame enables users to adapt the buildings to suit their own needs. One of the main focuses of the exhibition is therefore renovation and modernization: The refurbishment of the Museum of the Bavarian Kings in Hohenschwangau (Staab Architekten) received the German Steel Construction Prize in 2012 for its steel barrel-vault roof – this being a good example of the possibilities offered by today´s technologies and building techniques. As well as profiles and building systems of steel and stainless steel, also on display will be systems and surfaces in zinc and copper. The bauforumstahl, Edelstahl Rostfrei and the Stahl-Informations-Zentrum will all be putting on joint stands at the show.
For a list of all the exhibitors at BAU 2013, the product groups and product presentations, go to the online catalog, at: www.bau-muenchen.com
About BAU 2013
BAU 2013, the World's Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials, Systems, takes place from January 14 to 19, 2013 at Messe München exhibition center. Once again the event is expected to attract around 2,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and approximately 240,000 visitors from all over the world. On show at BAU on 180,000 square meters of exhibition space will be architectural solutions, materials and systems for commercial and residential construction and for interior fit-out, for both new-build and renovation and modernization purposes. Every two years this event brings together market leaders from the sector to participate in a unique international display of competence spanning all the construction trades. BAU is also the world´s largest trade fair for architects and construction engineers, attracting around 50,000 design professionals. The exhibits at the fair are organized according to building material and also product and theme areas. Key topics for the future of the industry, such as sustainability and building for life, play an important role in all sections of the exhibition. The many attractive events in the supporting program, including high-caliber forums with experts from all over the world, round off this industry showcase.
www.bau-muenchen.com