Embracing Innovation in an Over-Digitalized World
In today's hyper-digitalized world, the architectural practice, engineering, and design is continuously evolving. While technology offers unparalleled access to information, it also creates a paradox where vital innovations in the building sector may be overlooked. Architects, designers, and planners, who traditionally thrived on first-hand experiences and tangible discoveries, now face the challenge of filtering through the digital deluge to find groundbreaking advancements. This reality underscores the importance of engaging with physical platforms where innovation is not just seen but experienced.
To address this, Archi-Europe highlights two premier building fairs where the latest in architectural innovation can be explored directly: Glasstec 2024 and BAU 2025.
Glasstec 2024: The Mecca of Glass Technologies
Set to take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, Glasstec is globally renowned as the premier fair for glass technologies. This event serves as a vital nexus for the most advanced developments in glass, an essential material in modern architecture. From cutting-edge glass manufacturing techniques to revolutionary applications in construction and design, Glasstec provides an immersive experience that no virtual platform can replicate.
Architects attending Glasstec can expect to encounter:
- Innovative Glass Solutions: Discover new types of high-performance glass that enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal.
- Live Demonstrations: Witness real-time demonstrations of glass processing technologies that push the boundaries of design and functionality.
- Expert Insights: Engage with leading experts and innovators who are shaping the future of glass in architecture.
Shape the Future of Construction at BAU 2025
Discover the latest trends, technologies and production methods in the construction industry at BAU 2025, the world's leading trade fair for architecture, materials, and systems. As an international meeting place for the construction industry, BAU brings together everyone involved in the planning, construction and design of buildings. It thus creates a unique platform for exchange, inspiration and networking.
Are you looking for the latest materials, innovative systems or would you like to discuss individual solutions with manufacturers? At BAU, you will not only find inspiration for your next projects, but also have the opportunity to actively shape the future of our industry. Be part of it! Tickets will be available shortly.
BAU 2025: Experiencing the Future of Building
Scheduled for January in Munich, Germany, BAU is the world's leading trade fair for architecture, materials, and systems. Known as the "incontournable" fair for those serious about the future of building, BAU 2025 promises a comprehensive showcase of the latest industry trends and technological advancements.
Highlights of BAU 2025 include:
- Material Innovations: Explore a wide array of new building materials that prioritize sustainability, durability, and design flexibility.
- Smart Building Technologies: Delve into the latest in smart building solutions, from advanced automation systems to integrated building management platforms.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with a global community of professionals, from fellow architects to manufacturers, fostering collaborations that drive innovation.
In a world where digital saturation can obscure critical advancements, attending key industry fairs like Glasstec and BAU offers architects an invaluable opportunity to experience innovation firsthand. These events not only provide a platform to see and touch the future of building but also enable meaningful connections with industry pioneers. As we navigate the complexities of modern architectural practice, engaging with such fairs is essential for staying at the forefront of design and construction excellence.
For more information and to plan your visit, explore the details on Archi-Europe's dedicated event pages for Glasstec 2024 and BAU 2025. Embrace the chance to see, feel, and interact with the future of architecture.
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Read moreSeptember 23, 2021 Humaniti: Montreal’s first vertical city
Read moreMontréal, Canada, – Located at the crossroads of the International district, the Quartier des spectacles, and Old Montreal, Humaniti is Montreal’s tallest mixed-use community.
It includes a luxury hotel, rental units, restaurants, boutiques, and public spaces. Its unique H-shaped design promotes a dialogue and openness across its 39 floors and differing vocations. The multifunctional plaza is an extension of the magnificent Place Jean-Paul Riopelle, named after the internationally renowned Quebec painter and sculptor, that faces the project.
” A new dynamic
space for the
human
experience “
The objective was to create a tower that would have a presence in the Montreal city skyline, while also creating a sense of community in a hyper-dense area. Canadian design firm, Lemay, was brought in as lead architect, while sister brand, Lemay + Escobar, crafted the interiors of the hotel.
Its design strikes a balance between bold and sleek. It absorbs and contributes to the energy of its surroundings by reflecting the richness and diversity of its location, while simultaneously creating an identity of its own. Open and generous, it creates a unique environment where multi-sensory human experiences abound. Humaniti responds to the different scales and limitations ofthe urban context, while reshaping the public realm of the project in both the streetscape and
its vertical space.
The Blades
From the center of Place Jean-Paul Riopelle, one can see two narrow blades that split. The tallest blade has a truncated shape, paying homage to Manhattan’s Flatiron building. The second blade appears as though it splits off and falls from the monolith. The breathtaking effect amplifies the experience from the neighboring square, echoing the mist in the central fountain back towards the vertical community.
The Hives
The hives are a distinctive architectural gesture of the project,
reinforcing the vertical city concept. While not visible from the street in their entirety, these prefabricated balconies break the scale of the project to create a domestic discourse. Each hive accommodates approximately four households, similar to the typology found in many Montreal neighborhoods. Their staggered arrangement favors the penetration of natural light within residential units, while attracting the eye through their rhythm and simplicity. The hives’ human scale and well-defined groupings of condos evokes a smaller community feel, while accommodating hundreds of dwellings.
“Humaniti has shifted the playing field for mixed use projects in Montreal and Canada, testament to the courage of the development team, and challenges the status quo in numerous ways. It has emerged as an example of how thoughtful and nuanced design excellence strategies can play a part in the success of large and complex developments. Humaniti is key to the resurgence of the city, and a symbol of Montreal’s future as a design capital of the world.”– Andrew King, Chief Design Officer, Lemay
The Hotel
The 4.5-star Marriott Autograph Collection hotel is spread over 11 floors, and is suspended on a cantilever-shaped structure, marrying Humaniti’s residential and commercial complexes and completing the community’s unique “H” shape.
“The project is located in the Quartier International, a few steps from the Palais des Congrès, the city’s iconic convention center, and on the threshold of the historic city centre. It is an iconic, youthful, and vibrant scene, and we therefore wanted the focus to be on fun and joy, and to be very contemporary. We drafted the space with clean lines, and we curated it with eclectic art and furniture.” – Andres Escobar, Design Principal, Lemay + Escobar
Inside the hotel, two concurrent design themes are at work: the bold, geometric accents inspired by the sharp architecture of Humaniti, and the softer, tranquil emphasis on the concept of “humanity”.
Nowhere is that better exemplified than in the lobby of the Humaniti Montreal Hotel, as the chandelier, twisted in the sinuous shape of a DNA strand, beautifully complements the high ceilings, geometric floors, and striking ceiling pattern, along with a gold linear partition. The sculptural art pieces displayed throughout the lobby convey a similar contrast between geometry and humanity.
The same holistic approach characterizes the guestrooms, with a color palette consisting primarily of rich yellows and deep teals. This fosters a rich balance between the happiness and spontaneity of yellow, and the tranquility and peaceful optimism of teal. The geometric patterns found in the guest rooms, seen both in the carpet and bathroom tile, underscore the overall architecture of Humaniti. These elements provide a vibrant contrast to softer design elements such as the artwork, inspired by mother nature, and the human-like pair of sculptures.
Connecting urban dwellers to nature
The vertical community allows residents and visitors alike to enjoy big city living, while connecting with nature, favoring well-being, and striking a dialogue between its residents and the spaces they inhabit. Designed to embrace the surrounding green spaces, Humaniti reconnects urban dwellers with their natural environment. Its design proposes a lifestyle that reduces the need for artificial light in lieu of natural sunlight and views, in an effort to create a sense of serenity in an otherwise dynamic and connected context. The project’s color scheme was thoughtfully selected based on those that can be found in natural spaces, further solidifying the project’s connection to nature.
Client: Cogir Real Estate and the Fonds immobilier de solidatité FTQ
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada
Year: 2021
Area: 63.000 m2
Discipline(s):
Architecture
Landscape Architecture
Structural Engineering
Sustainability
Interior Design
Urban Design
Credits
Real estate developer: Cogir
Architecture: Lemay
Interior design: Lemay + Escobar and Lemay
Interiors – hotel (public & guestroom), 8th floor rooftop pool & bar, 9th floor gym & locker rooms, RDC lobby, ground floor atrium: Lemay + Escobar
Interiors – urban chalet, residential corridors, units & amenities: Lemay