Large-format glass facades are a striking element of modern architecture all over the world. They not only create maximum transparency but also assume diverse functions to guarantee the building’s energy efficiency and utility convenience. From 23 to 26 October in Düsseldorf, at glasstec 2012, the leading trade fair for the international glass industry, the glass facades theme will therefore play a key role and be a key element in several special themes. The central contact point for all those involved with facades in a professional capacity is Hall 11. That is the location of the “facades center” with the “competence center glass, window, facade” and the “glass technology live” special show.

The “competence center glass, window, facade” concentrates the know-how of numerous institutes and associations, including EuroWindoor, the German Flat Glass Manufacturers’ Association (Bundesverband Flachglas - BF), also including various quality associations, the Association of Independent Facade Consultants (Unabhängige Berater für Fassadentechnik - UBF), the Institute for Window Technology (Institut für Fenstertechnik Rosenheim - ift), the Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research (Bayrisches Zentrum für angewandte Energieforschung - ZAE) along with the German Sustainable Building Council (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen - DGNB).

In turn, with its exhibits and presentations in space of 2,500 square meters, the neighbouring “glass technology live” special show is taking a look at the future of the material glass. The range of exhibits includes innovative facade elements, for example featuring building-integrated photovoltaic systems. The special show is being organized by Prof. Stefan Behling and his team from the Institute for Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Stuttgart under the motto “Innovative Glass Functions”. On 25 October in the supporting symposium with free admission to all trade fair visitors, the theme will be “Integrative concepts for transparent building shells”.

In addition to the ranges covering all aspects of glass facades in the exhibition halls at glasstec, two supporting conferences will also be looking at the theme. On 24 October under the motto “Appearances + Perspectives”, the “architectural congress” organized by the North Rhine-Westphalian Chamber of Architects (Architektenkammer Nordrhein-Westfalen) and Delft University of Applied Science (Technische Universität Delft) along with Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe) will be directed at architects, structural engineers, air-conditioning technicians and facade planners. Sustainability and aesthetics are the key theme areas.

On 25 and 26 October the “engineered transparency” scientific specialist conference organized by the TU Dresden and TU Darmstadt Universities of Applied Sciences will be directed at experts from the areas of research and development as well as construction and design. They will be examining the latest developments and research results in relation to engineered (glass) transparency along with innovations in the areas of facade technology and solar energy in building shells. Both conferences will be held at the Congress Center East (CCD Ost) at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Center.

Visitors, who are interested in the facades theme, will find all the ranges in the support programme and the relevant exhibitors at www.glasstec.de with just one mouse click on the corresponding pictogram in the “industry center for windows and facades”.

glasstec/solarpeq 2012 press contacts
Sebastian Pflügge
Brigitte Küppers (Assistant)
Tel.: +49(0)211/4560-464 or -929
Fax: +49(0)211/4560-87 464
E-Mail: PflueggeS@messe-duesseldorf.de or
KueppersB@messe-duesseldorf.de