BAU 2015 is one of the biggest exhibitions in the world showcasing materials, technologies and systems for the international building and construction industry. Spread over an area of 180,000 square metres, the BAU 2015 trade show will take place from January 19 to 24, 2015 at the Messe München exhibition centre.

The final segment of the five-part series on various sections of the BAU 2015 exhibition spotlights flooring, stone/cast stone and steel.

Flooring (Halls A5, A6)

The flooring section of the BAU 2015 exhibition will feature a broad spectrum of new products in elastic and textile flooring, parquet and laminates in addition to extensive information on mouldings, profiles, applications and laying techniques. Manufacturers exhibiting in this section will be focussing on sustainability and individual design options in their collections.

Ivo Schintz, Chairman of FEB – Fachverband der Hersteller elastischer Bodenbeläge e.V., a trade association of manufacturers of elastic flooring explains that consumers value a healthy environment at home as well as the workplace, fitted with sustainably manufactured products. He adds that FEB members are catering to this demand by providing the assurance of quality, safety and design in their products. The increasing popularity of plasticisers based on renewable raw materials; design flooring in commercial and residential construction; decors with a photo-realistic design; sophisticated surface structures with an interesting look and feel; and oak decor in all kinds of variations are some of the visible signs of new trends.

Stone/Cast Stone (Hall A4)

Considered the oldest building material in the world, stone is both sustainable and free of pollutants. Notwithstanding its age, stone continues to fit in very well with modern requirements in terms of aesthetics, quality, durability and cost-effectiveness. The rich variety of colours and the diversity of surface finishes allow the use of stone in both indoor and outdoor applications, as flooring or on facades. Light-coloured stone from granite to limestone is in demand in shades of grey and yellow for garden and landscape design, while classical white (marble) or black (gabbro, slate) stone is trending in interiors. Structured surfaces (sandblasted, with or without brushing) are especially popular. Relief-like structures produced by milling or high-pressure water jets are also trending among customers.

Light-coloured limestone or sandstone in shades of white, beige or grey is popular in facades. These materials are also being used in innovative ways, such as the three-dimensional effect created on the facade of the E-Science-Lab in Zurich by Baumschlager Eberle. Clad in a fine projecting structure of horizontal balconies and vertical travertine panels, the building looks different when viewed from different angles. This project won a Deutscher Naturstein-Preis (German Natural Stone Award) in 2013. The association that awards this prize every two years (Deutscher Naturwerkstein-Verband) will again be putting on a joint presentation at BAU in 2015, along with its member companies.

Steel/ Stainless Steel (Hall B2)

Steel and stainless steel play an important role in building construction – this will be amply reflected in the different types of steel and steel products to be showcased at the BAU 2015. The applications for these materials range from urban infrastructure and bridges, earthquake- and flood-protection, high-rises and intelligent facades to lightweight construction in steel, industrial, commercial and residential building and the design of urban spaces.

In Hall B2 at BAU 2015, planners, architects, engineers and processing trades can update their knowledge and find out about new developments. One of the exhibitors in this section B2/318 - bauforumstahl and its member companies will be showcasing steel solutions and products, including fire protection and corrosion protection through galvanising, all under the motto of ‘Efficiency 4.0: Designing the future with steel’.

Similar to previous editions, topical themes in the construction industry will be explored in a Lecture Campus being organised in cooperation with the Bayerische Architektenkammer, the Bayerische Ingenieurekammer-Bau, the universities of Munich, the Institut Bauen und Umwelt (IBU), the association of German engineers (VDI), and others. Themes listed for discussion include current examples of architecture in steel, green buildings, practical advice for building with steel and challenges presented by the new norms, to BIM, future trends and training and careers in the industry.