Side Events

The Mediterranean is particularly vulnerable to climate change, evidenced by recent disasters such as large-scale flash flooding in Valencia. UMAR (Union of Mediterranean Architects) connects architects, institutions and governments at all levels—local, national and international—to help prevent and provide a response to these disasters. At CONSTRUMAT, specific emergency actions in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Portugal, Spain and other countries will be examined, analysed and discussed, as well as laying the groundwork for future collaboration with the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean and UNESCO.

A masterclass that delves into the cutting edge of lighting design while focusing on innovative solutions, from the very initial inspiration, all through the design development stages, and up to the final installation. Participants will receive a certification validated by the CIAAD and UNSDGs.

The goal of this masterclass is to explore the key topic of Adaptive Architecture. The masterclass will delve into more than 25 multicultural installations, all located in unique historical spaces. This exploration will reveal how these traditional architectural environments have been transformed into vibrant spaces for modern socio-cultural exhibitions. Participants will receive a certification validated by the CIAAD and UNSDGs.

The Mediterranean is particularly vulnerable to climate change, evidenced by recent disasters such as large-scale flash flooding in Valencia. UMAR (Union of Mediterranean Architects) connects architects, institutions and governments at all levels—local, national and international—to help prevent and provide a response to these disasters. At CONSTRUMAT, specific emergency actions in Egypt, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Portugal, Spain and other countries will be examined, analysed and discussed, as well as laying the groundwork for future collaboration with the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean and UNESCO.

In Turkey, the future of construction and infrastructure is being redefined through digitalisation, innovation and sustainability. The fusion of digital technologies with traditional engineering is transforming technical consultancy and construction processes, launching faster, safer and smarter projects through AI-based modelling and data-driven construction management. Simultaneously, Turkey is undertaking ambitious energy and sustainable building initiatives, focusing on renewable energy and resilient city design. With a strategic location in-between continents, the Turkish nation invites global partners to co-create smart infrastructure and build a greener, more innovative and connected future together.

In this masterclass, we will explore sustainable design concepts, professional standards and current issues related to the environment as well as functionality for users. Participants will receive a certification validated by the CIAAD and UNSDGs

In Turkey, the future of construction and infrastructure is being redefined through digitalisation, innovation and sustainability. The fusion of digital technologies with traditional engineering is transforming technical consultancy and construction processes, launching faster, safer and smarter projects through AI-based modelling and data-driven construction management. Simultaneously, Turkey is undertaking ambitious energy and sustainable building initiatives, focusing on renewable energy and resilient city design. With a strategic location in-between continents, the Turkish nation invites global partners to co-create smart infrastructure and build a greener, more innovative and connected future together.

Share ideas and champagne glass!

The Spanish Association of Industrialised Construction, or AECI as per its Spanish initials, is organising a conference within the framework of Construmat. On this occasion, it will offer a space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences on the evolution of industrialised construction and the importance of standardisation within the industry. During a round table, experts and professionals from the construction industry will discuss the current challenges in the implementation of regulations and standards that guarantee quality, efficiency and sustainability in construction processes. In addition, success stories will be shared that demonstrate how industrialisation has transformed the construction landscape, improving times, costs and results. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about emerging trends and future prospects for construction within an industry under constant transformation.

REHABIFORUM ANERR will be addressing the new European Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), analysing its challenges and opportunities in renovation and sustainable construction. Industry experts will discuss its impact and present success stories of companies that are already applying innovative solutions. A key space for sharing experiences and making progress in the industry's energy transition.

This forum, hosted by Build Europe, the association representing more than 30,000 housing developers and builders, will be analysing the housing affordability crisis in the EU, its main barriers and potential solutions. There will also be a discussion on the impact of European regulations on the industry, as well as the role of the CSRD and EU Taxonomy in the real estate market. The forum will come to a close with a reflection on the reconstruction of Ukraine and the future of the sector in Europe.

This session explores how research and development are transforming the design and implementation of MEP systems (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing). It will examine innovations in energy efficiency, sustainability, and infrastructure optimization, highlighting new technologies and methodologies applied in advanced projects. The presentation will offer a strategic view of how R&D drives performance improvements and the integration of smarter, more sustainable solutions in the building services engineering sector.

The Iberian Trenchless Technology Association (IBSTT) is hosting a seminar as part of Construmat focusing on Trenchless Technology (TT), a key solution for the sustainable development of the industry. This free in-person seminar will be the main event for the sector in Barcelona, gathering all the major stakeholders in the industry. Experts from leading TT companies will be addressing the challenges of these technologies and presenting practical cases in infrastructure maintenance, owners’ communities, leak detection and home services. There will also be a discussion of its role in urban renewal and its ecological, economic and sustainable impact.

BIS presents an innovative approach to social housing design, grounded in sustainability and collective well-being. The presentation will explain how climate management through optimized air systems improves energy efficiency and resident comfort. It will also emphasize the importance of community spaces and architectural solutions that foster coexistence, inclusion, and quality of life. This project marks an evolution of the traditional social housing model, integrating technology, sustainability, and social cohesion.

According to the 2019 European Green Deal, the EU must become a net-zero emissions continent by 2050. Buildings account for up to 40% of CO₂ emissions in Europe, so we must make decisive progress toward designing and constructing energy-neutral buildings.

This session will propose a general strategy for designing net-zero buildings, based on three stages:

Maximum reduction of the building’s energy demand.

Optimization of consumption by installing highly efficient systems that use the minimum amount of energy to meet that optimized demand.

Generation of the required energy through clean, renewable sources.

Proper design of a building’s electromechanical systems is essential to implement this optimization strategy.

This session will explore how building systems engineering, architecture, and management align to promote more efficient, sustainable, and innovative research centers.

Through a roundtable discussion featuring industry experts—Albert Pineda, Juan Carlos Inglés, Marta Grzadziel, and Sergi Simón—we will share real-world experiences and address key challenges such as energy efficiency, spatial flexibility, innovation in construction processes, and the operational management of buildings in use.

An opportunity to gain insight into how to approach high-complexity laboratory projects from a collaborative and cross-disciplinary perspective.

Share ideas and champagne glass!

The forum will address the future of construction project management in a context defined by increasing complexity, shifting environments, and unpredictable challenges. In response to this reality, it will highlight how agile methodologies such as Lean Construction, integrated within the framework of the Project Management Institute (PMI), will become key tools to tackle the sector’s challenges. More than just process improvement, the forum will propose a paradigm shift: to empower self-organized teams, foster genuine collaborative spaces, and build cultures of continuous learning. These elements will be essential for adapting swiftly to disruptions and turning uncertainty into innovation opportunities. The forum will present a clear vision: the construction industry of tomorrow will not rely solely on technology or traditional planning, but on resilient people, flexible systems, and a sustained commitment to continuous improvement. The future of the industry will be more agile, collaborative, and ready to evolve.

With insights from four renowned engineering firms, this session explores how managing highly complex projects benefits from collaborative approaches among multidisciplinary teams. It will examine methodologies and strategies that promote the integration of various stakeholders throughout the design, planning, and execution phases—optimizing time, resources, and quality outcomes.

Through real case studies, the session will demonstrate how collaboration enhances efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in large-scale architectural and engineering projects.

The ACI General Assembly is restricted to members (both manufacturers and engineering firms). It is held annually and presents the previous year's results along with the main actions planned for the current year.

A Talent Job Marketplace is a networking space that brings together companies from the same sector and candidates for published job offers. On this occasion, the event will take place at the Construmat'25 Fair. Participating companies will present who they are, the values they stand for, and the profiles they are seeking—all related to the construction sector. Afterwards, they will conduct job interviews with candidates preselected by Barcelona Activa.

In this masterclass, we will explore the significant impact of AI on various design disciplines, ranging

from education to practical architecture. Our goal is to address the following question: How can AI
serve as both a creative partner and a transformative tool, connecting the gap between learning and
real-world applications?

This event explores the remarkable stories of cities around the world that have successfully recovered, focusing on how they are rebuilding and renovating themselves in the wake of disasters. Each path to a renewed urban vitality presents its own challenges and opportunities, revealing a wide range of innovative and sustainable recovery strategies. We will delve into these inspiring processes of urban resilience, highlighting diverse approaches to said rebuilding, which exemplify both local contexts and world-wide best practices. The presentation will be moderated by a UN-Habitat urban resilience expert and will conclude with a dynamic question and answer session, encouraging active participation and the exchange of ideas.

In this introductory course organized by CCAM and coordinated and conducted by WORLD WOOD FUTURE, we will focus on harmonic, stable, and regenerative architecture; we propose to open the door to a paradigm shift based on recovering the basic pillars of the constructive future: craftsmanship integrated into architecture, a synergy capable of containing beauty, authenticity, identity, functional intelligence, and kindness. Today we can unite these values thanks to the craft and the most recognized techniques, putting high technology and slow human talent into cooperation, where the hands of master craftsmen continuously converge, capable of providing efficient and healthy solutions to create special atmospheres, sincerity, and an enriching contrast in architectural works. In this course, we will give free rein to the empire of the senses, valuing detail and learning from harmonic environments, since after our architectural and craft past, we now have the duty to resume this valuable knowledge and the wisdom it generated.

The Roadmap for the decarbonisation of the building industry, published by the GBCE in 2022, recognises the need to reduce CO2 emissions from the building sector by 89% if we are to stay on target toward a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.