nZEB Expo 2024: an innovative and inspiring fair is a resounding success in Bucharest

The most dynamic, modern and interactive trade fair I have ever attended in Romania is over. nZEB EXPO, the energy efficient building fair organized by șoflete.ro, The Concept and Event Builder has dismantled the idea that trade fairs are outdated, that people no longer want to meet face to face and that online presence on different channels is enough. Marius Șoflete demonstrated that if organizers offer an updated concept, a modern and interactive way of relating, both exhibitors and visitors will attend the fair.

At the end of the 2023 edition of nZEB goes passive fair in Cluj, also organized by Marius Șoflete and his team, I was in a state of maximum excitement. I then put it down to the fact that Revista din Lemn was part of that team, being more than just a media partner. This year, although I couldn't respond to Marius' invitation to be with them during the organization, I was in the same state of excitement at the end of the fair. I was there for two of the three days of the fair talking to participants, organizers, visitors and guests. Everyone unanimously agreed that it was a very good fair, dynamic, modern, with many visitors, a lot of good quality information, conferences, guests, presentations, workshops. I also received an invitation to give a presentation on wood sustainability and was surprised to see the hall full of interested people at 10.30 on Saturday morning.

Timber house builders unanimously agree nZEB Expo was the most successful fair ever

We spoke to all the timber frame house manufacturers present at the fair to give an overview of the industry. We wanted to see how the first part of this year has been for each of them and how they see the second part of the year and 2025. The full material will be available shortly on our video channels. In addition to questions about the state of the timber construction industry, we also asked how they found the fair, what their expectations of the fair were and whether they were confirmed. All agreed that it was by far the best trade fair they had attended. They were satisfied with the organization, the promotion of the fair before the event, the massive presence of visitors.

For us, the influx of visitors was a real challenge. The exhibitors were constantly chatting with visitors and hardly found a free moment to chat with us. Some of them were speechless by the end of the day. They were exhausted, but you could see on their faces the excitement of a good day, beyond expectations.

Informed visitors, lesson learned

Another aspect on which they all agreed was the level of preparation, the level of information of the visitors. Indeed, there is a lot of quality information about what nZEB means, what a passive house is, how to achieve energy efficiency, how you can have high comfort and minimal maintenance costs by building correctly. The well-documented information brought online by Marius Șoflete, George Buhnici, the Miradex team and many others is helping to raise the level of the construction sector because more and more beneficiaries know what to ask for and do not accept half-measures. And the information is not just about how to build an energy-efficient home correctly, but about all the other systems that make it a smart home.

Much of this information also comes from Wood Magazine. For us it's gratifying that both builders and the public say we do a good job. The written and video materials help builders to detail their products and become relevant, and the public to understand what they need.

Generous space for discussion and debate

We appreciated the generous spaces dedicated to discussions and debates. Both for meetings organized between different representatives in the field and for ad-hoc meetings. In order to move forward, all areas need debates, discussions that bring problems to the forefront and find solutions to solve them. Marius has managed to bring developers, local government representatives, beneficiaries on the same stage and to provoke discussions that bring problems to the fore.

The presence at the fair of Carlos Moreno, the visionary urban planner, also aroused interest. His vision for city development was heard by a large group of real estate developers. Carlos is the initiator and promoter of the "15 minute city", a new type of urban organization that means access to all basic needs in less than 15 minutes on foot, by bike or public transport.

Expert presentations, attractive workshops, novel solutions

There were presentations and discussions on the three stages. There was talk about nZEB and passive houses, the experience of living in an energy efficient house, efficient windows and their correct installation, photovoltaic panels, heat pump ventilation systems, airtightness testing, roof waterproofing, roofs with tin, reed or green and plant coverings and many, many other topics. I was on one of the stages for a presentation on wood durability and treatments that make wood used in the strength structures of homes or exterior projects last as long as possible. I enjoyed speaking to a visibly interested audience.

Ion Iosif, owner of Lakeside House, documented by Wood Magazine from the foundation of the house to receiving the Passive Premium house certification (see full video series here) presented on stage, in stages, his experience as a project manager building his own house. He also talked about the advantages of a Passive Premium house after almost 2 years of living in it. Ion says every time when asked that he is very satisfied with his house, that it is exactly what he wanted and that he would not change anything about it.

One pole of attraction was where Christian Rummel, together with two other carpenters dressed in traditional costume, organized a traditional carpentry workshop. Many people wanted to work alongside them. Together they built models of roofs of varying degrees of difficulty, doing the calculations with pencil directly on the wood, without specialized software. Around them were strategically placed suppliers of hand tools so they could be used whenever needed.

The much-publicized 3D printer has predictably generated a lot of interest. The printer can make a wall 6 meters long and 4.2 meters high in 6 hours, with only 2 people - the operator and the material preparer - to operate it. It is possible to make entire walls, modules that can be used on the structure, but also other objects such as street furniture. Magda Opriș, a representative of WOP 3D (World of Printing by aimedesign) - the company that brought the printer - is a never-ending source of information, and visitors took full advantage. And she was one of the voiceless Sunday night. The printed walls can also be attached to wooden structures providing home insulation, interior finishing and a ventilated facade. A video about the system will be available soon.

The pride and joy of being part of a group

At the closing of the event, on the main stage, it was organized the meeting and presentation of the teams that have participated over the years in Solar Decathlon, the international competition of architecture and solar technology applied to construction. It is inspiring to see the joy of these young people to be part of a group that wants to change the field of construction. What started with the Prispa project in 2012, has grown year by year with 4 other teams and projects attracting students and young builders eager for change.

They all took to the stage on Sunday to the applause of the community to say how much this competition has meant to them and how they want to continue to be part of the change. The field of construction, which in the past we knew as a backward and backward field, is changing fundamentally thanks to the continued involvement and passion brought by these young people.

The gathering of this wonderful community, followed by the presence on stage of a hoarse but still energized Marius, was the natural conclusion to an event that was an infusion of positive energy. Together with the other organizers, Șoflete thanked everyone who was part of the organizing team and the participants of nZEB EXPO 2024 and extended the invitation to all of us to meet again in Cluj, between November 1-3. He also said that he wishes that this fair will become in time the most important in Eastern Europe and that he sees the fair for more than 2 years taking place in both Romexpo pavilions (B1 and B2). As I know Marius, it will surely work out for him this time.

Congratulations to the organizers - șoflete.ro, The Concept and Event Builder! Congratulations Marius Șoflete, you are charismatic and inspirational! Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the success of a very well thought and organized event!