Window and Facades 2026 conference to be held by ift Rosenheim in October for those looking to stay ahead of the crisis

The ift Rosenheim Institute has announced the programme for its Window and Facades 2026 conference, which will be held under the motto "Shaping the future with knowledge and experience". The event will bring together industry professionals to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing window and façade manufacturers.

Participants will examine the impact of digitalisation and artificial intelligence on the industry, new standards, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), Germany's "building acceleration" initiative (Bauturbo), as well as the growing demand for security from both governments and citizens. Special attention will also be given to the wealth of the baby boomer generation and business succession, together with new materials and technologies.

The programme will open with Professor Winfried Heusler (ift Rosenheim) and Professor Klaus Sedlbauer (Technical University of Munich). They will analyse the role of knowledge and experience in shaping the future of the industry, first in the context of windows and façades, and then from the broader perspective of construction and the environment.

Security issues will be addressed by Professor Peter R. Neumann (King's College London), a recognised expert in security studies. Martin Langen (B+L), together with Frank Lange (VFF) and Jochen Grönegräs (BF), will present an overview of the German and European window markets for 2027. Professor Christian Niemöller (SMNG) will share practical recommendations during the "ift Legal Lab".

Many professionals in the window and façade industry still do not expect a rapid market recovery, particularly in the new-build and residential construction segments. The exact timing of the industry's next upswing remains difficult to predict. Nevertheless, the medium- and long-term outlook remains positive, as the shortage of affordable housing, climate change adaptation and the need to modernise critical infrastructure all provide strong drivers for future market growth.

The programme also includes:

• a presentation by Winfried Heusler, Director of ift Rosenheim, entitled "Shaping the future with knowledge and experience – windows and façades yesterday, today and tomorrow";
• Professor Klaus Sedlbauer will present "Building for people and the environment";
• Professor Peter R. Neumann will deliver the presentation "Europe under threat – which forces and groups threaten our security, and how society and business can prepare";
• Professor Christian Niemöller (SMNG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH) will explain the work of the "ift Legal Lab" and provide practical legal guidance;
• during the "Window and Façade Experts" session, an ift specialist will present the design of fall protection for windows fitted with opening restrictors;
• Bernd Sass (ift Rosenheim) will explain the latest developments in sound insulation performance parameters and testing methods;
• Henner Klaas (ift Rosenheim) will conclude the session with an overview of typical defects in window systems and methods for their remediation;
• during the "Future of Construction" session, Professor Lucio Blandini (University of Stuttgart) will present "The future of façades – resource efficiency, climate resilience and circularity";
• Norbert Zak (ift Rosenheim) will complement the topic with an overview of the requirements for circular construction, material recycling and sustainability;
• during the "Window and Façade Projects" session, Professor Andreas Putz (Technical University of Munich) will present successful renovation projects involving windows and façades in historic buildings while meeting heritage conservation requirements;
• Detlef Timm (Hans Timm Fensterbau) will share practical experience in the energy-efficient refurbishment of double windows;
• during the "Security and Resilience" session, Josef Moosreiner, a security specialist from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA), will explain how physical burglary protection and electronic systems can be combined to safeguard critical infrastructure;
• Robert Krippahl (ift Rosenheim) will provide a detailed explanation of how the physical security of buildings is assessed and tested, including protection against natural hazards and vandalism, which is an essential prerequisite for proper design, tendering and project implementation;
• during the "Glass for Windows and Façades" session, Michael Elstner (ift Rosenheim) will demonstrate practical applications of thin glass and explain how to avoid common problems;
• Professor Ruth Kasper (TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences) will explain the implications of introducing Eurocode 10 for glass design in accordance with DIN 18008.