The WOOD HUB at nZEB Expo Bucharest 2025: A Community That Comes Alive

"We are a guild and I think that, in the category of those who are really involved in delivering a quality product, each of us has some specific elements" - these were the words of Raisa Chiruță from Dorna Eco House, which perfectly captured the spirit that dominated the three days of nZEB Expo Bucharest 2025. An event that far exceeded our expectations and which marked an important milestone on the journey of the WOOD HUB towards its stated goal: building a strong community around wood.

An Event That Exceeded All Expectations

nZEB Expo Bucharest 2025, the largest event dedicated to energy efficient buildings in Romania, hosted between June 13-15, 2025 more than 18,000 specialists and people interested in energy efficient buildings. For HUBUL LEMNULUI, this figure meant much more than statistics - it meant validating a concept and confirming that there is indeed a vibrant community eager to connect around a passion for wood.

The energy of the three days was contagious. Not just in the impressive number of participants, but in their level of knowledge, the quality of the questions asked and the genuine enthusiasm with which they approached every demonstration, every presentation, every networking moment. We felt that we were not just organizing an event - we were really building a community.

The 52 Joints Carport: Art in Action

The focal point of our stand was the wooden carport built by Fane Pănăzan - a true technical masterpiece with no less than 52 different traditional joints. Designed by Emil Baciu using CADWORK software, made with glued laminated timber from GLULAM, this project demonstrated that modern technology and traditional craftsmanship are not opposites, but complementary.

The visitors asked many questions and wanted to see step by step the assembly process, carried out with a minimum of metal connectors supplied by Rothoblaas and using especially the strength and precision of the hand-made joints. It was a vivid lesson in the perfect convergence of tradition and innovation - the theme that defines us as the WOOD HUB.

Rustic Furniture with a Traditional Soul

The two Radu's - Vădan and Călian - attracted attention with their theme: "Rudimentary woodworking - furniture and hand-built objects using traditional techniques". The spectacle of seeing functional objects taking shape using only traditional tools and methods handed down from generation to generation was mesmerizing.

This hands-on approach allowed visitors to actually participate in the creative process where it was risk-free, turning observation into active learning.

Special Guests with Real Experiences

Ion Iosif - Three Years of Life in Premium Passive House

Ion Iosif brought something priceless to our stand: the concrete, everyday experience of energy efficiency in a timber-frame house. We were no longer talking theoretically about the benefits - Ion had been living them for three years and could answer the practical questions that really matter:

The real comfort of a timber frame house
The challenges and joys of the first years of living here
Concrete bill savings and lifestyle impact
Why they would never go back to traditional construction

Houses on Wheels - Freedom in 12 square meters

Partners from Blusky.ro - Houses on wheels proved that small size does not mean compromising on comfort. The mobile home of just 12 square meters, fully equipped and equipped with a generous terrace, offered a fresh perspective on the concept of living, constantly attracting curious onlookers and pertinent questions.

Naturalpaint - The Complete Ecosystem For Healthy Homes

Application demonstrations of products marketed by Naturalpaint, Kreidezeit - from paints to pigments to wood oils and different types of finishes - perfectly complemented the story of truly healthy building. The presence of Gutex natural wood fiber insulation gave visitors a complete picture of the whole chain of natural materials needed for an efficient and healthy home.

Emil Baciu and the Magic of CADWORK Software

With his characteristic enthusiasm, Emil Baciu demonstrated throughout the event how CADWORK technology can revolutionize the way we design and execute wooden structures. From designing the carport with 52 different joints to optimizing costs and execution times, visitors discovered the power of digital tools at the service of traditional craftsmanship.

On Stage Workshow - In-Depth Debates

The presence of the WOOD HUB also extended to the event's Workshow stage, with interventions that attracted large audiences:

Friday - Poiana lui Vădan: How to rehabilitate without destroying

The debate moderated by Radu Vădan on the rehabilitation of old houses in urban and rural areas attracted attention by presenting the peasant houses in the Transylvanian foothills and the possibilities of contemporary adaptation. Special guest, Eliza Yochina from Cumulus Architecture, presented the rehabilitation project of the Ienachita House - a remarkable case study about saving and adapting a building of historical value.

Saturday - The power of wood: from efficient structures to healthy interiors

The morning session demonstrated the versatility and potential of wood in construction, with successive presentations covering the whole spectrum: from the degradation of wood exposed to the outdoors (Mihaela Radu) to the influence of solid wood furniture in energy efficient houses (Mihai Ursu), prefabrication of structures (Andrei Ursachi) and the Timber Framing concept (Ion Florența).

Sunday - Experiences and future perspectives

Fane Pănăzan, Emil Baciu and Mihaela Radu presented the carport with 52 traditional joints, Radu Vădan tackled the topic "Restoration versus changing carpentry in heritage buildings" and Ion Iosif concluded the series with his experience of living for three years in a very energy efficient house.

Fun and Traditional Competitions

The element that makes every appearance of the WOOD HUB a memorable experience was not missing this time either. Beer in the fridge for a relaxed atmosphere, the nail knocking contest for testing accuracy and the beer drinking contest with the exoskeleton - the special device created by Fane - created that unique atmosphere that facilitates open discussions and the formation of new friendships.

As Raisa from Dorna Eco House told us: "More and more people are interested in energy efficient construction... It's a very good trend towards quality. Many areas and sectors are developing, wood, wood cladding, is reaching more and more areas... It's interesting to see the evolution in many areas and then many manufacturers are fitting in and it gives courage."

Two Evenings That Strengthened Communities

The exhausting but energizing team participation in the event itself was complemented by two special moments that strengthened teams, relationships, partnerships and friendships:

Friday evening - House by the lake: The HUB team organized an event at the Iosif family's premium passive house, giving participants the opportunity to experience the benefits of an energy-efficient home in real-life conditions and to continue the discussions in an intimate and authentic setting.

Saturday evening - nZEBairam: Attending the nZEB Expo's trademark party was a moment of relaxation and disconnection, where professional barriers were broken down and genuine bonds were formed between community members.

Hub Report - The Story Continues

In the first episode of the Hub Report series, launched after the event, we reflected on the journey we've been on and our plans for the future:

"After BIFE-SIM, nZEB Expo in Cluj, #TotulPentruCasaTa, nZEB Expo in Bucharest, we realized that we are no longer just an event within an event. We understood that we are a community and a community needs a place to live in all the time not just four times a year."

This realization led us to the next stage in the evolution of the WOOD HUB: the transformation into an online-offline ecosystem that supports the community and between events.

A Milestone on the Road to the Future

nZEB Expo Bucharest 2025 was more than just a successful event - it was confirmation that our dream of building a strong community around wood is not only possible, but is already finding concrete expression. The energy of the three days, the intelligent questions, the insightful discussions and the connections made showed us that we are on the right track.

As Raisa Chiruță said: "Basically, if there were two of us, I don't know if the client would be so brave, but if there are so many of us, with so many solutions and ideas, I think that's also courageous." That's exactly what it's all about - to give courage through our numbers, the diversity of our experiences and the quality of our collaborations.

Towards BIFE-SIM 2025: Next Chapter

With the energy and confidence gained at the nZEB Expo, we are now heading towards BIFE-SIM 2025, which will take place from September 18-21, 2025 at ROMEXPO Bucharest, Pavilion B2. This event, now in its 33rd edition and emblematic for the furniture and interior design industry in Romania, is an extraordinary opportunity for the WOOD HUB to consolidate its position in the Romanian wood ecosystem.

At BIFE-SIM 2025, we will bring the experience gained at the nZEB Expo into a complementary context - where efficient construction meets quality furniture, where architecture meets interior design, where technology meets tradition.

Online-Offline Ecosystem: The future of the WOOD HUB

As we announced in the first Hub Report: "From BIFE-SIM 2025, the Wood Hub becomes an online-offline ecosystem, a place where you, as a member of this community, have access to other professionals like you, information, networking, partnerships and services tailored to your needs."

Platform hublemn.ro will become the hub of this ecosystem, offering:

Hub News: Industry news and community opportunities
Hub Directory: Connecting community members and their skills
Hub Events: Information about all events and participation opportunities
Hub Academy: Educational content, tutorials, other ways of learning for continuous development

BUILDING COMMUNITIES

After three intensive days at the nZEB Expo Bucharest 2025, it is clear that not only the dream of building a wood community in Romania can be realized, but that the process is already underway. Every meeting, every demonstration, every discussion over a glass of beer in "Poiana lui Vădan" adds a brick to the foundation of this community.

As Radu Călian said in a video during the event: "We are waiting for you too, because here we CREATE COMMUNITIES."

nZEB Expo Bucharest 2025 was the demonstration that this is not just a slogan - it is a reality that is coming to life before our eyes, event by event, person by person, connecting us through our common passion for wood and the desire to build together something greater than the sum of its parts.

See you at BIFE-SIM 2025!