Some of the world’s greatest architects will convene in Düsseldorf, Germany on October 24 for an Architectural Congress, which will be part of the biennial glasstec trade fair, October 23-26. Titled “Opinions + Perspectives,” the Architectural Congress will feature international architects’ studios presenting their latest innovations. The event is organized in co-operation with the North-Rhine/Westphalian Chamber of Architects, the Technical University of Delft and the University of Ostwestfalen Lippe.

The congress will open with a welcoming address from Hartmut Miksch, president of the North-Rhine/Westphalian Chamber of Architects, and Hans Werner Reinhard, deputy managing director of Messe Düsseldorf. Sessions, which will be presented in English and German, will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Ulrich Knaack, Technical University of Delft.

Some of the scheduled presentations include:

• The Identity of Spaces, Enrique Sobejano, Fuensanta Nieto, Nieto Sobejano, Architectos, Madrid;

• Climate Design and Architecture, Thomas Auer, Transsolar Klimaengineering, Stuttgart;

• The Freedom of Shape, Brendan MacFarlane, Jakob + MacFarlane Architectes, Paris;

• Hedonistic Sustainability; Kai-Uwe Bergmann, Bjarke Ingels Group, Kopenhagen;

• Urban Interventions; Gerhard Wittfeld, kadawittfeldarchitektur Aachen;

• Floating glass, Rob Nijsse, Technische Universität Delft; and

• Human-Centered Architecture, Stefan Behnisch, Behnisch Architekten, Stuttgart/Los Angeles.

In addition to the Architectural Congress, another session, Engineered Transparency, will combine presentations about advanced glass technologies in architecture and structural engineering with exhibited world leading technology in glass production, processing and products. It will take place October 25-26 and keynote speakers include Prof. Michael Bell of Columbia University, who will present, “The Technical, Visual and Spatial Effects of Glass;” Till Schumacher of schneider+schumacher Architekten, presenting a session titled “Beautiful and Durable;” Dr. Schiel, schlaich, bergermann und partner, will discuss “Glass – A Material for Concentrating Solar Energy Plants.” Also, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lothar Wondraczek, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, will present “Towards Ultrastrong Glasses.”

In addition to the educational presentations, glasstec will feature several special shows of interest to architects. These include glass technology live and the façade center.

Designed to show “the future of glass,” as part of glass technology live companies will show future-orientated product solutions for glass façades as mock-ups. According to event organizers, the event will emphasize the developments in new material requirements and applications.

Registration for glasstec and the many available sessions is currently open and available online at www.glasstec-online.com. Stay tuned to glassguides.com for more event news and updates.