Economical construction as the main theme of BAU 2025

Rising material and labor costs and ongoing supply chain bottlenecks are currently making construction expensive. At BAU 2025, approaches and solutions for cost-effective construction will be presented.

This article is part of the special topic Trade fairs for the craft industry

According to the latest figures from the Federal office of statistics they have each other Construction prices in Germany will remain at a high level in 2023t. The Construction Price Index shows a continuous Uptrend, which is likely to continue in the coming years due to the economic situation and increased demands on sustainability and energy efficiency. Therefore, holistic approaches asked the consider all parts of the value chain - Planning, Construction and Operation - which offer specific approaches and methods for cost efficiency and improved profitability in each phase. Approaches and solutions for this are presented in the BAU 2025 from 13 to 17 January 2025 in Munich.

Adjustments for reducing construction costs

By political framework conditions such as the package of measures to reduce construction costs some Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB), solutions can be found. Construction research also makes an important contribution to exploring new solutions for affordable and sustainable construction, as the current publication on approaches for developers, planners, and municipalities shows. However, it is not only processes and framework conditions that need to change. Pricing, especially for building products in residential construction, is in focus. Here, it's important to think outside the box, critically examine your own scope for action, and optimize it. This leads to disruptive, innovative, and future-oriented models.

Focus on the life cycle 

The Considering the life cycle of a building ensures holistic, economical and sustainable planningThis makes sense not only from an economic point of view, but also with regard to the EU taxonomy, which promotes long-term sustainable investments. Buildings that are not constructed in an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly manner are at risk of being "Stranded Assets" and thus lose value. A forward-looking, life-cycle-oriented approach not only ensures the Cost effectiveness, but also the Future viability of real estate in an increasingly sustainability-oriented market.

At BAU – the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems – the BMWSB is dedicating its own Exhibition stand "FUTURE CONSTRUCTION" this topic, as the Parliamentary State Secretary Soren Bartol explains: "Economical construction means developing efficient and sustainable solutions throughout the entire life cycle of a building – from planning through construction to operationThis is achieved through a holistic approach and the Optimization through digital tools and innovative business models promoted. The serial and modular design plays a role here, as does the conscious abandonment of cost-increasing standards, which is supported by the "Guideline and Process Recommendation Building Type E" of the BMWSB." On the grounds that sustainable and simple construction more design freedom in favor of necessary innovations, the building type overcome the tight corset of norms, superfluous standards and bureaucratic hurdlesto deliberately build projects that are reduced to the core of the protective objectives of the building regulations in a simple, sustainable and legally secure manner. The fact that the implementation of the concept is already feasible is demonstrated by the Start of 19 pilot projects, the the Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Construction and Transport presented, but also various amendments to the law such as the Lower Saxony Building Code in 2024.

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"How little is enough" is also the central approach for the renovation of existing buildings. Instead of complex measures to achieve new building standards in existing buildings, minimally invasive procedures and the application passive design principles great potential. Low-maintenance construction complements this approach by creating robust structures that require little maintenance.

Holistic planning and optimization – with digital tools and new business models

Digitalization can be achieved through Use of new planning tools and methods such as BIM (Building Information Modeling), Digital Twin and Artificial Intelligence contribute to increased efficiency in design planning. In construction processes and project management, Lean Management also contributes to increased efficiency. lean construction extends these principles to the Process optimization and increased efficiency throughout the entire construction processNew business models are also necessary for the implementation of economical construction, as they enable adaptation to changing market requirements and technologies. Be it in the way value creation is generated or how tradesmen's services can be rethought. By investing in bold innovations that create new customers and markets and thus trigger new avenues of industry growth, innovative companies can not only expand their scope of action but also, in the long term, change the development of their industry, as a recent study by McKinsey shows.

More information on the BAU 2025 website

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