Glasstec 2010 to feature extended ancillary program

The ancillary program at glasstec 2010, International Trade Fair for Glass Production – Processing – Products, will feature several new events, according to an April 9 release. In addition to the established “glass technology live” special show, the Architects’ Conference and the “glass art” exhibition, the glasstec will feature the “FaçadesCentre”, the “engineered transparency” Congress and a diverse program for craftsmen. The trade fair will take place at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany, from Sept. 28–Oct. 1.The topic of the new “FaçadesCentre” will be energy-efficient building façades. The event is geared toward façade planners, civil engineers and the processing skilled trades. It will be a platform for the associations, scientific institutions and companies in this sector and offer a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and trends in façade technology. The focus will be on multifunctional glass façades that generate electricity with building-integrated thin-film photovoltaics, thereby actively improving a building’s energy footprint, according to the release.The “FaçadesCentre” will be located adjacent to the “glass technology live” special show in Hall 11, where innovative façade parts with integrated photovoltaic systems will be featured. The “glass technology live” special show and symposium will again be organized by the team of Professor Stefan Behling, senior partner at Foster and Partners architects’ office, and professor at the Institute of Building Construction at the University of Stuttgart. With the motto “Energy Efficiency with Glass”, the special show will provide insights into the future of creative and sustainable glass applications.The new technically orientated “engineered transparency” conference will deal with the themes of glass, façades and solar energy and specifically address research and development staff, engineers, civil engineers, planners and architects, as well as civil engineering experts and personnel from construction authorities. It will be organized in cooperation with the following universities of applied science: TU (Technical University) Delft, TU Dresden and TU Darmstadt. The Conference will be overseen by Professor Weller (TU Dresden) and Professor Schneider (TU Darmstadt), both internationally renowned for their research on the material glass. The “Engineering Session” will be held Sept. 29 in the afternoon and all day Sept. 30 at the Congress Center East at the fairgrounds, according to the release.For the third time, architects, structural designers, air-conditioning engineers and façade planners will come together at glasstec 2010 for the Architects’ Conference. With the motto “Glass is Energy”, the Conference will be organized by the North Rhine-Westphalian Chamber of Architects along with Professor Knaack from the Delft University of Technology and the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences. Themes covered by top international speakers will include “Transparency and Sustainability,” “Glass and Climate Design,” “Organically-inspired Architecture” and “Simplicity and Quality of Architecture”. Glass craftsmen can look forward to a number of special events during glasstec 2010. On the evening of Sept.30, the “Glazier of the Year” will be chosen and the “Glass Finishers’ Award” presented. The official craftsmen's day at glasstec 2010 will be Oct. 1 and the Federal Association of Glazier Trades (BIV) will offer seminars and advance training courses in co-operation with exhibitors, according to the release. glasstec 2010 will also host the auto glaziers’ competition to be staged by the International Automotive Glass Federation. In addition, the “Autoglass Arena” in Hall 10 will highlight companies presenting all aspects of automotive glass.For further information on visiting or exhibiting at glasstec 2010, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601, 312/781-5180, fax 312/781-5188, info@mdna.com, http://www.mdna.com.