BAU 2021 Key Themes Films

bau21-keyvisual

Challenge accepted

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, BAU 2021 will be held digitally. The crisis shows us clearly how fragile well-being is. It is thus shifting the focus even more on urgent future issues. Messe München has chosen four of these as the central themes of BAU 2021: How can the construction industry play its part in mitigating climate change? How should the digitalization of the construction industry and our society as a whole be shaped? What will the future of housing be like? How can resources be used more responsibly, for example through recycling? On behalf of Messe München, we have produced four films about inspiring projects that provide impulses for answering these questions.

Key Themes of BAU 2021

The Challenge of Climate Change

Armin Pedevilla talks about the ciAsa Aqua Bad Cortina in San Vigilio in Enneberg (Duration: 3:36)
  • Theme: The Challenge of Climate Change
  • Project: ciAsa Aqua Bad Cortina in San Vigilio in Enneberg (South Tyrol)
  • Architect: pedevilla architects, Bruneck (South Tyrol)
  • Editor: Elias Baumgarten

"Sustainability is often measured by energy performance indicators and certificates. Yet what are they worth, are they achieved with high technical effort and are ecologically questionable materials and building products procured over long distances? For pedevilla architects, the contribution of architecture to climate protection takes a different approach: In San Vigilio, their office has designed a residential building made of regionally grown wood, which was processed by local craftsmen in the traditional way. The building does not require any additional insulation. No glues or adhesives were used either." Elias Baumgarten

Digital Transformation

Prof. Achim Menges and Prof. Jan Knippers ICD / ITKE University of Stuttgart in conversation about the Urbach Tower in the Remstal Valley (Duration: 4:05)
  • Theme: Digital Transformation
  • Project: Urbach Tower, Remstal Valley (Germany)
  • Planners: ICD / ITKE University of Stuttgart + EMPA + ETHZ
  • Editor: Elias Baumgarten

"Consistent digital processes from the design of a building to its implementation are already on everyone's lips today, but if you look at the reality on construction sites in Germany, these are actually still dreams of the future. Their development, however, is eagerly being pursued. The field of experimentation here is timber construction. An exciting example of today's possibilities is the Urbach Tower near Stuttgart, which researchers from the ICD and ITKE institutes of the University of Stuttgart developed together with Swiss colleagues from EMPA and ETH Zurich and the Blumer-Lehmann company." Elias Baumgarten

Resources and Recycling

Sebastian El Khouli talking about the office and production building of the Baltensperger company in Winterthur (Duration: 3:07)
  • Theme: Resources and Recycling
  • Project: Office and production building, Winterthur (Switzerland)
  • Architect: Bob Gysin Partner BGP (Switzerland)
  • Editor: Elias Baumgarten

"As the debate on climate protection continues and the economic situation in the West deteriorates, the use of resources is moving into focus. Zurich-based architectural firm Bob Gysin Partner has designed an office building and a production hall for the Baltensperger company using modular timber construction. This method may initially be more expensive than conventional timber construction, but it offers great advantages, especially in the long term, without restricting the design flexibility, as architect Sebastian El Khouli explains." Elias Baumgarten

Future of Living

Liu Jiakun discussing the West Village in Chengdu (Duration: 3:57)
  • Theme: Future of Living
  • Project: West Village in Chengdu (China)
  • Architect: Jiakun Architects, Chengdu (China)
  • Editor: Eduard Kögel

"In China, urbanization is being driven forward with gigantic projects that dwarf all previously known categories of city. With a radical separation of functions, monofunctional neighborhoods are being created, which are held together by large transport infrastructures. With a multifunctional urban block in the center of new high-rise residential quarters, Liu Jiakun from Jiakun Architects in Chengdu, southwest China, has created a lively place where different social groups come together. Stacked and layered functions strengthen a socio-cultural sustainability of the neighborhood, which can change constantly in an ongoing process of adaptation." Dr. Eduard Kögel


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