Schüco at BAU 2019 »Experience Progress«

Following the exhibition motto »We know how« from BAU 2017, »Experience Progress« took centre stage this year. Six innovation topics represented the mission of Schüco to play an active part in the social and technological revolution. »The future of design will be seamless.« Step­free panoramic solutions for living spaces with clear views to the outside, comfort and high­quality aesthetics were combined in the »HOME« innovation area. Functionally integrated, dynamic systems for every climate with a high degree of design freedom characterised the »VERTICAL« innovation area. The vertical cities of the future are designed individually. This encompasses intelligent building automation solutions which allow the potential of truly »SMART BUILDINGS« to be realised. To make the city of the future quieter, the »ACOUSTICS« area showed innovative solutions for improving urban acoustics, to increase comfort by reducing noise. Under »SECURITY«, it was demonstrated how tested high­security systems and fire and smoke protection systems can permit greater flexibility and functionality, while also allowing a higher level of design freedom. The future of architecture is networked. The common thread running through inspiration and design, planning and configuration, as well as fabrication and installation was the area of »DIGITALISATION«, which presented developments for the digital design and construction process, with the aim of providing greater creative freedom, efficiency and security.

The architecture of the exhibition stand was part of the concept, which aimed to highlight selected solutions for all topologies and systems. »What would we display if we only had 500 m² of space?« was the central message of the new exhibition stand, which is how Thomas Abend, Schüco Brand Spaces, described the requirements of the brand architecture, designed and implemented by the agency D‘art Design Gruppe. The focus on »experiencing« allowed for different types of reception and staging.

The central »Innovation Walk« guided the visitor through the exhibition stand and provided a quick overview of their own journey through the six metre­high »messenger« style LED walls and the generous zoning. In addition to the guided tours, these ensured that the content was readily accessible. The architecture therefore deliberately played with the alienation of the traditional architectural subject through light and the visual extension of space (such as reflections), in order to create a feeling of urbanisation. Due to their room­height installation, some of the exhibits had a striking effect stretching across two levels which was not only evident in the perception of space and choice of materials, but could also be experienced in the communication areas between the innovation topics.

What Schüco products and systems can and will achieve in future was thereby made tangible. The top floor was fitted with meeting areas and a bar and restaurant, which had a direct link to the exhibition space thanks to its generous cantilevers and glass fronts.

Words: Eva Maria Herrmann
Photos: Frank Peterschröder, Lukas Palik Fotografie