Author
Jürgen Benitz-Wildenburg
Date
23.07.2025
Article ID
PI250767
Reading time: 7 minutes
"The Changing World of Windows"
Whether it's climate change, AI, demographics or the economic climate – these are turbulent times. The construction and window industry is at the heart of this and is part of the solution, as it can solve problems such as housing shortages and building refurbishment – just in a different way than before. Everything has to be faster, cheaper and more sustainable, because people looking for housing don't want to wait, and climate resilience also needs to be improved now. At the Rosenheim Window and Facade Conference 2025, we will show how this works and which solution strategies are helpful under the motto "The changing world of windows." Key speakers include the Institute Director Prof. Dr. Winfried Heusler on the topic of "Window Change", Roland Sitzberger (Porsche Consult) on the new value chains in construction, Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick (Wuppertal Institute) shows a way towards a positive future for all and Prof. Christian Niemöller (SMNG) on the latest developments in case law. There will also be many lectures on relevant topics from practice and standards, such as the digital product passport, the CPR and the product standard EN 14351-1, the current requirements for recycling and the circular economy, methods for the economic assessment of climate resilience and exciting insights into the facade project "Merck TSC / Darmstadt." The programme will be rounded off by the Power Workshop and the new "Leadership Workshop" on Tuesday as well as the popular Bavarian Festive Evening on Wednesday with exchange, networking and celebrations. www.fenstertage.de
Many experts in the window and facade industry feel like they are in a dilemma right now, especially when companies only operate in Germany. On the one hand, it is important to survive the construction crisis until the first construction projects and orders emerge from the tender "upswing seedling." On the other hand, it is important to recognize the relevant future challenges, so that the company is on the right track during the upswing. Because the transformation to a circular economy and the adaptation to climate change are continuing, even if many voices claim otherwise. The Rosenheim Window and Facade Conference 2025 have set themselves the goal of providing guidance in this area.
On Wednesday, Prof. Dr. Winfried Heusler, Director of ift Rosenheim, will start the programme with a detailed analysis of the diverse and comprehensive changes in the boundary conditions in technology and society and what consequences this has for the window and facade industry. Roland Sitzberger (Porsche Consult) follows on directly from this and shows how fundamentally the value chains in construction are changing and how to remain a "winner" in the future. Prof. Dr. Manfred Fischedick (Wuppertal Institute) takes an optimistic look into the future in his lecture "Earth for All - Towards a future for all." On Thursday afternoon, Prof. Christian Niemöller (SMNG Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft) will give a competent and entertaining update on relevant legal issues and rulings on window / facade construction topics.
In the section facade and architecture, the exciting facade project of the new Translational Science Center (TSC), which the pharmaceutical group Merck is building as an integrated, flexible laboratory building, will be presented. The TSC is designed as a "green" building with a power supply based on photovoltaics and geothermal energy. The facade of this innovative project is presented from different perspectives. Dana Bilek (Hammeskrause Architekten) presents the architectural concept, Martin Drexler (Schindler Fenster+Fassaden) the practical challenges faced by the facade builder and Heribert Ley (SUNOVATION) explains how photovoltaic integration was made possible in the best possible way.
In the section "Sustainability and Resilience", Norbert Sack (ift Rosenheim) reports on an ongoing R&D project on solutions for the industry on the necessary and politically demanded path to a circular economy, because this is more than just recycling. Prof. Dr. Martin Teich (Munich University of Applied Sciences) will explain what the terms "ReUse, ReFurbish and ReManufacture" actually mean using the example of the reuse and further use of flat glass from existing buildings. Prof. Dr. Alexander Stolz (Fraunhofer EMI, University of Freiburg) shows how the cost-effectiveness of adaptation measures can be determined in order to use monetary arguments for measures to improve climate resilience vis-à-vis building owners and investors.
On Thursday, the section "Digitalization in the Construction Industry" will deal with the broad field of digitalization, which poses major challenges for planners, building owners and manufacturers. Thomas Kirmayr (Fraunhofer Building Innovation Alliance) explains how best to create a digital "building ecosystem" and how the data needs to be structured for this. Michael Breckl-Stock (ift Rosenheim) gives an outlook on the required "Digital Product Passport" and the strategies that the window and facade industry can use to solve this task in a practical way.
In the "International" section, Rami Boné (Aluminium Construction Group) will show how successfully and creatively bamboo is used as a facade material in other markets. Hubert Lagier (CSTB) presents real insider information on the interesting but difficult French market and what needs to be considered during testing and certification.
In the section “Construction Products Regulation and Market”, Prof. Jörn P. Lass (ift Rosenheim) will present the "rules of the game" of the product standard EN 14351-1, which is currently being revised, and how manufacturers and system providers can already prepare for it today. Frank Lange (Verband Fenster + Fassade, VFF) and Jochen Grönegräs (Bundesverband Flachglas, BF) will report on the rules and subsidies the industry can expect from Berlin.
The section “ift-Practice" is dedicated to very practical questions. Felix Fischbacher (ift Rosenheim) shows in detail common and costly sources of error in window installation and how these can be recognized and avoided. Bernd Saß (ift Rosenheim) presents new results from R&D projects dealing with the acoustic assessment of critical window installation situations.
On Thursday afternoon, there will be an opportunity to take a look behind the scenes and gain an insight into the day-to-day operations of the ift-Technology Centre, the ift-Building Acoustics + Facades Laboratory "Am Oberfeld" and the Central Laboratory in Rosenheim.
The Rosenheim Window and Facade Conference thus face the challenge of filtering out the aspects that are relevant for decision-makers in the window and facade industry from the flood of information, because there are requirements to be met or opportunities to be exploited. In addition to the presentations, there will of course be plenty of time and space for dialog with the ift-Experts at the Meeting Point and the right atmosphere for guests to exchange ideas with each other - whether in the congress centre or at the popular Bavarian festive evening.
The power workshop for window manufacturers on Tuesday afternoon (7th October) offers valuable practical advice for optimizing operational processes in the company. Torsten Voß (ift Rosenheim) shows how the ift-Montageplaner (ift-installation tool) is a practical tool that simplifies window installation planning in existing buildings. Rainer Rutsch (Fensterbau Rutsch) gives practical advice on the professional removal and disposal of old windows and what to bear in mind regarding hazards and hazardous substances when replacing windows. Wolfgang Jehl (ift Rosenheim) explains how companies can overcome the difficult interface of structural waterproofing and the building structure connection of floor-to-ceiling elements with the help of a new guidance sheet. "Beware of pitfalls" - this is the topic of Knut Junge (ift Rosenheim) and Henner Klaas (ift-expert), who will analyse current cases of damage from their experience as experts and point out suitable solutions. The Power Workshop will be complemented for the first time by the new "Workshop" for executives. The experienced coach Prof. Dr. Stefan Lackner provides effective tips and tools to support executives, owners and successors in successfully meeting the challenges of leadership, communication and management in times of a shortage of skilled workers and Generation Z.
The complete programme and registration form can be found at www.fenstertage.de
Information box Rosenheim Window and Facade Conference 2025
| Time | Wednesday 08.10.2025 and Thursday 09.10.2025 |
| Location | Kultur + Kongresszentrum Rosenheim, Kufsteiner Straße 4, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany |
| Net costs | 995.00 € plus VAT including Bavarian festive evening 295.00 € plus VAT for the Power Workshop (Tuesday, 07.10.2025 including pre-evening meeting) 450.00 € plus VAT for the new "Leadership Workshop" for executives - and those who want to or have to become executives (Tuesday, 07.10.2025 including pre-evening meeting) Special conditions apply for ift members, sponsors and students. |
| Registration | www.fenstertage.de |
| Questions | +49 8031 261-2122, fenstertage@ift-rosenheim.de |
Jürgen Benitz-Wildenburg
Jürgen Benitz-Wildenburg is head of the PR & Communication department. As a carpenter, timber construction engineer and marketing expert, he has been working in the timber and window industry in various functions for over 30 years. As a lecturer, speaker and author, he passes on his knowledge.