This year’s edition introduces a forward-looking narrative built around intelligence, resilience, and design quality. The event is divided into two major areas: the Construction Hall and the Building Envelope Hall. While the first focuses on structural systems, BIM technologies, energy retrofitting, and seismic safety, the second dives into the world of façades, glass, windows, doors, automation, and roofing, areas that define the performance and aesthetics of modern buildings.

Innovation Beyond the Surface

Among the most anticipated features is the AI Architectural Intelligence Talk on 20 November, exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming design processes, predictive maintenance, and supply-chain optimization. Equally significant is the Focus Sismica area, developed in collaboration with Ingegneria Sismica Italiana (ISI), which highlights technologies for seismic protection and infrastructure resilience.

For the first time, MADE Expo will also include the Light & Colour Building Festival (FEL), a creative space dedicated to lighting, paint, and color in architecture, alongside the Agorà Restauro, organized with Assorestauro, focusing on energy upgrades and conservation of historic buildings.

Building on the New European Bauhaus

Aligned with the principles of the New European Bauhaus, beauty, inclusivity, and sustainability, MADE Expo 2025 will host the MADE Sustainable Award, developed with the Politecnico di Milano, celebrating companies that integrate technological innovation with environmental and social value.

As part of the MIBA – Milan International Building Alliance, MADE Expo will welcome more than 200 hosted buyers from over 50 countries, reinforcing its global scope. More than a trade fair, it’s a living lab for architects, engineers, and system developers, where artificial intelligence meets construction, and where the future of building takes tangible form in Milan.

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Renowned for its strong international presence, glasstec serves as a global platform for business development, innovation exchange, and professional networking.

The event’s conference and special formats, including CircuClarity Two, Glass Trends Sessions, and the Architecture Forum, will explore the industry’s key challenges and future directions.

A highlight remains glass technology live, an innovation showcase developed with leading technical universities, offering an exclusive look at groundbreaking advancements shaping the sustainable future of glass.

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More than 150 exhibitors from over 20 countries, including Jaquar, Cleopatra Group, Framecad, Mapei, and Stanley Black & Decker, will showcase the latest technologies and solutions to over 9,000 professionals. Product sectors include interiors and finishes, MEP systems, HVACR, heavy machinery, concrete, metal and aluminium, and smart and solar technologies.

Flagship projects such as the Nairobi–Mombasa Usahihi Expressway and OrPower 22 Geothermal Plant continue to boost demand for modern building systems, skilled labour, and financing. According to Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, the exhibition “connects decision-makers and innovators driving Kenya’s construction future.”

The event will also feature 25+ CPD-certified Big 5 Talks led by 45 regional and international experts, covering sustainability, digital transformation, engineering, and project management, cementing Big 5 Construct Kenya as East Africa’s premier platform for construction insight, innovation, and opportunity.

Big 5 Construct Kenya is free to attend for all trade and industry professionals aged 18 and above. For more information, visit: www.big5constructkenya.com

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Despite its acclaim, the building now faces significant safety concerns. Independent engineers have identified hundreds of cracks and areas of missing concrete in structural supports, raising questions about the tower’s long-term stability. Experts attribute the damage to a combination of environmental stressors, high winds and water infiltration, and design choices that prioritized aesthetics over structural resilience.

The building’s ultra-slim design amplified structural challenges. Professor Jose Torero, a structural engineering expert at University College London, noted that a ten-year-old building should not exhibit such widespread cracking. Reports indicate that the custom white concrete mix, chosen for its visual appeal, has proved more fragile than anticipated, contributing to deterioration.

Residents have reported persistent elevator malfunctions, excessive swaying during strong winds, and water infiltration, affecting dozens of apartments. Noise complaints related to structural movement have also been common.

Legal disputes between residents and developers, including allegations of over 1,500 defects, have delayed essential repairs. Without intervention, remediation costs are projected to reach hundreds of millions of dollars, and the building could become uninhabitable or pose risks from falling debris.

The 432 Park Avenue situation underscores the complexity of modern skyscraper construction. Ultra-tall, slender towers demand precise engineering, rigorous materials testing, and ongoing structural monitoring. Even minor oversights in design, material selection, or construction can result in costly repairs and operational challenges.

While 432 Park Avenue remains a landmark of architectural ambition, it serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of design innovation without corresponding attention to structural integrity. Its experience highlights the importance of careful planning, thorough oversight, and proactive maintenance to ensure safety, durability, and long-term functionality in high-rise construction.

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Value engineering can come either from Vasglass or from the client. When it comes from Vasglass, the goal is usually to improve building efficiency by addressing technical details the client may not be aware of. When clients request it, the starting point is often cost reduction, which can affect performance. In these cases, Vasglass “tries to find the right solution” to maintain high technological standards while managing budgets.

Tzifos shares examples of innovation in practice. In bulletproof glazing, polycarbonate sheets are used “in place of corresponding glass sheets” to maintain high protection and clarity while reducing weight.

On the Bolv building in Tirana, Vasglass developed a digitally printed red glass curtain wall that “from the outside one can see the image, while from the inside visibility is maintained.” This solution provided solar protection, maintained interior comfort, and avoided the visual drawbacks and higher costs of traditional alternatives.

Investments in modern glass processing technologies, triple silver coatings, digital ceramic printing, and multi-layering, allow Vasglass to meet complex architectural demands. As Tzifos notes, Vasglass constantly monitors technological developments, ensuring every project combines innovation, performance, and aesthetics.

At Vasglass, every glass panel reflects the philosophy that “glass contributes significantly to the long-term performance of the building and to the real added value.”

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