The Wood Hub returns at nZEB Expo Cluj: October 24-26, 2025 - 3 days of wood, passion and craftsmanship

If you've been to an event Wood Hub, you know what to expect. If it's your first time - it's the perfect time to come.

The Wood Hub returns to Cluj for three days dedicated to those who work with wood or would like to. The event will take place at nZEB Expo Cluj, October 24-26, 2025, and will combine hands-on demonstrations, debates and networking in a 30-square-meter space.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The center of the Hub will be occupied by Vădan's Poiana - a space created around part of the carport built by Fane Pănăzan and first presented at the nZEB Expo in June 2025 in Bucharest. It will host talks on crafts, business and construction, and visitors will be able to interact directly with craftspeople working in the wood industry.

Throughout the event there will be continuous demonstrations: wood texturizing with Cezar Blînda, wood turning, traditional joinery and a "quick diagnosis" section where you can ask questions about specific problems in the workshop or on the building site.

There will also be a competition - "Who's the Finest?" - where visitors can test their rhinema skills. The final prize, presented by Fane Pănăzan, is a Stanley No. 5 planer.

FULL PROGRAM: 15 THEMES, 3 DAYS, ONE COMMUNITY

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24

From 14:00, the Vădan's Glade is open for discussions that REALLY interest us:

• 14:00-14:30 | SPEED DATING: Wooden house builders × Potential beneficiaries Fast. Direct. Builders showcase capabilities and projects. Beneficiaries say what they dream. Connections are made.
• 14:30-15:00 | Project Management - How to overcome moments of crisis Special guest: Ion Iosif, owner of the premium passive house "House by the lake" Theme: Budget overruns. Delays. Teams not synchronizing. Changes in the middle of the construction site. LESSONS LEARNED.
• 15:00-15:30 | Construction vs Furniture - Which sector offers more business opportunities? Debate between Emil Baciu (construction), Radu Vădan (furniture) and Dan Radu (business), moderated by Mihaela Radu Initial investments. Margins. Challenges. Scalability. Trends.
• 15:30-16:00 | How to calculate CORRECTLY the price for a timber project With Radu Vădan and Dan Radu Real Cost Components. How to justify the price to the customer.
• 16:00-16:30 | Timber Framing vs other construction systems With Emil Baciu and Fane Pănăzan Advantages. Disadvantages. Which is the best option. Costs. Speed.
• 16:30-17:00 | Stories from the construction site/workshop - unexpected challenges and creative solutions True stories from the life of Hub craftsmen.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 - DAY: Design and Practical Solutions

From 13:30, Vădan's Poiana continues the conversations:

• 13:30-14:00 | Epoxy resin floors - a great choice if you have underfloor heating With Ion Iosif and Mihaela Radu Why epoxy? How is it applied? How much does it cost? What about after 3 years of use?
• 14:00-14:30 | Designers and workshops - collaborations that work With Radu Călian and Cezar Blînda Effective communication. Realistic expectations. Technical challenges. How to turn a design into reality. Case studies.
• 14:30-15:00 | The young generation and the wood industry - how to attract talent With Mihai Ursu, Emil Baciu, Cezar Blînda What are young people looking for? How do we make the profession attractive? Education vs reality.
• 15:00-15:30 | Certifications and standards in timber construction With Emil Baciu and Ion Florența What certifications really matter? Pasivhaus, BREEAM, LEED - what do they mean for the client? How do we differentiate?
• 15:30-16:00 | "My tragicomic experience in the quest for energy independence" Guest: Ion Iosif, moderated by Mihaela Radu How it started with the excitement of having zero bills. What reality he found. Lessons learned. A true story, not a marketing pitch.
• 16:00-16:30 | Why do we use different materials for exterior vs interior wood protection? With Mihaela Radu UV. Humidity. Thermal cycles. Oils, lacquers, varnishes, impregnations. Myths about wood protection.
• 16:30-17:00 | Stories from the construction site/workshop - unexpected challenges and creative solutions Again - for those coming on Saturday.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 - DAY: Tradition and/or Technology

From 12:00, the last and perhaps most important conversations:

• 12:00-12:30 | Smart home - solutions to reduce costs With Ion Iosif and Mihaela Radu Worthwhile automation. Automations that are NOT worth it. Real ROI after 3 years.
• 12:30-13:00 | Carport - the most important traditional joints With Fane Pănăzan and Emil Baciu, LIVE on the Hub structure Why traditional? Endurance. Techniques. Practical example.
• 13:00-13:30 | Old wooden fences used to last 50 years, but now problems appear after 5. Why? With Mihaela Radu Choosing the essence. Processing. Protection. Maintenance. Common mistakes.
• 13:30-14:00 | Solid wood vs glulam - when to use what? Technical Team Hub Features. Costs. Applications. Myths.
• 14:00-14:30 | Working with architects - what works and what doesn't With Radu Călian and Fane Pănăzan Common language. Negotiations. Clear responsibilities. Case studies.
• 14:30-15:00 | Stories from the construction site/workshop - unexpected challenges and creative solutions Last round.
• 15:30 | DRAW: Rindea Stanley nr. 5 Offered by Fane Pănăzan. Prize for who participated in the "Who's the Finest" contest.

AND ON THE MAIN STAGE OF nZEB EXPO...

The Hub team isn't just in the corner - we're also on the main stage:

Saturday, 10:30 - Ion Florența and Emil Baciu present: "Mistakes in the design and execution of Timber Framing structures"

Sunday, 15:30 - Ion Iosif presents: "Experience during construction and after 3 years of living in a Passive Premium certified house"

Sunday, 16:10 - Farczadi Robert, Radu Vădan, Vladimir Buburuzan: "Good practices in energy efficiency in old houses in rural areas"

Sunday, 16:40 - Farczadi Robert, Radu Vădan: "Energy efficiency in heritage buildings. Restore or change the joinery?"

WHO IS THE WOOD HUB FOR?

The event is open to professionals in the wood industry - carpenters, joiners, builders, designers - as well as enthusiasts who want to learn more about the craft and construction.

If you're a timber house builder, you'll find practical information on building systems and energy efficiency. If you work with furniture, you'll find out how to work better with designers and how to get prices right. If you're young and thinking of a career in the wood industry, you'll be able to ask experienced professionals direct questions.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Location: nZEB Expo Cluj-Napoca, Wood Hub stand, 30 square meters indoor space next to the main stage
Date: October 24-26, 2025
Hours: 10:00-18:00
EntryFree with free admission to the fair

ABOUT THE WOOD HUB

The Wood Hub is a Wood Magazine initiative that brings together professionals and enthusiasts in the wood industry. The aim is to create a space for the exchange of ideas, quality networking and knowledge transfer between professionals, whether they work in furniture, timber construction or traditional crafts.