December 3, 2024
School Construction Messe Berlin
What a sensational end to a great SCHULBAU trade fair year in 2024! The International Festival in Berlin was the perfect place to bring together the industry’s leading minds, exchange ideas and rethink the educational construction of the future. For two days, it was all about big questions, groundbreaking answers and real highlights – from lectures and discussions to relaxed networking.
A start full of ideas Indra Musiol from JES Socialtecture led the first day as moderator with relaxed charm. The kick-off to a cracking program was given by Kirsten Jung, founder of SCHULBAU, Norbert Illiges, head of the Berlin School Construction Task Force, and Jens Wadle from HOWOGE. Together they covered everything from current challenges to the opportunities offered by new approaches in school construction.
Jens Wadle provided an inspiring introduction with the Allee der Kosmonauten compartment school, which, with its flexible spatial structures, is considered a model project for modern educational spaces. It became international with a very special guest: Robert Grimm from the renowned BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group, gave insights into global educational building projects that amazed the audience. His visionary concepts broadened the participants’ horizons far beyond Berlin.
Inclusion and lively discussion A highlight on the first day was the discussion round “Q&A at the kitchen table: experts in conversation” on the topic of inclusion. Dr. Angelika Thäle, head of the Jungfernheide school, Cordula Hobein, head of the Schäfersee primary school, Karin Babbe, experienced process facilitator and spatial planner, and Fee Kyriakopoulos, partner at Baupiloten Berlin, brought their different perspectives. Together, moderated by Kirsten Jung, they examined how multifunctional spaces can support educational work and focus on the needs of the learners.
The approximately 60 exhibitors had an impressive variety of products and services relating to educational construction in their luggage. From sustainable building materials and modular construction methods to technical solutions for light, air and acoustics: the individual exhibition stands were buzzing with lively exchanges and changing groups of interested visitors. The combination of thematic focus and practical solutions was particularly inspiring.
Award ceremony and relaxed conclusion
In the evening there was a real premiere: the presentation of the SCHULBAU and facade technology awards. None other than Robert Grimm from BIG took over the award ceremony and recognized the projects that impressed with their innovative approaches and sustainable concepts. The architectural firm Hess / Talhof / Kusmierz was delighted to receive the SCHULBAU award for first prize for the new building of the Wesseling primary school, while second prize went to Trapez Architektur for the Römerstadtschule in Frankfurt and third prize to CKRS Architekten for the Wilhelm-Gentz primary school in Neuruppin. We congratulate PPAG Architects on their first prize for the Caro + Louis project in Berlin, Nesseler on their second prize for the carbon concrete facade on the Weisweiler office building and Thoma Architekten on their third prize for the CHP plant in Leipzig-Möckern in the facade technology award category. Congratulations to the winners and a big thank you to all participants who provided an outstanding number of submissions!
Afterwards, the mood really took off at the network dinner: people celebrated, discussed and made valuable contacts at a long, festively laid table. Snacks, drinks and the beats of DJ Victor J rounded off the evening as a great end to the first day and got the Loewe Hall buzzing.
Day 2: Monument protection meets digitization
We were able to win over Prof. Jan Krause from ofat Berlin with his well-known industry expertise to moderate the second day. Norbert Illiges kicked off many other exciting lectures with an honest assessment of the Berlin school building initiative. His contribution provided clarity about progress and the challenges ahead.
The discussion on monument protection in schools offered inspiring perspectives from top-class speakers, moderated by SCHULBAU founder Kirsten Jung. Andrea Schich from the Berlin Senate Administration, Dr. Christoph Rauhut from the Berlin State Monument Authority, Reiner Nagel from the Federal Foundation for Building Culture and Prof. Thomas Stuke (PPP, Innsbruck) took the stage and discussed how existing buildings can be sensibly preserved or transformed.
The topic of “AI in construction and educational infrastructure” also attracted a lot of attention. Alessa Gangl, chairwoman of the D21 initiative, Elise Pischetsrieder from weberbrunner Architekten and Stefan Cadosch, CEO of KeeValue Zurich, examined the potential of digitalization in educational construction. No one needs to be afraid of AI, but they should certainly have respect for it. But above all – the speakers, moderated by Prof. Jan Krause, agreed – we should use the opportunities and possibilities that artificial intelligence brings with it.
Finally: a look ahead
The festival concluded with an excursion to the circular classroom of the future at the Beethoven Gymnasium. The participants were shown on site by educator Philip Elsen how circular construction and resource-saving concepts can be implemented in practice and on their own initiative.
The SCHULBAU Festival in Berlin was a place full of ideas, exchange and energy. With these impressions, a successful year comes to an end, but the anticipation for 2025 is growing with trade fairs in Leipzig, Munich, Essen and Hamburg as well as another International SCHULBAU Festival in June in Copenhagen and an exclusive salon in Berlin. We look forward to seeing you, dear visitors, speakers and exhibitors!
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