Discussing Future Topics

Sustainability and digitalization are also becoming increasingly important in the sanitation, heating, and air conditioning industries. In response, ISH Frankfurt, the internationally most significant trade fair for HVAC and water, has introduced a revised and contemporary exhibition and event structure. ISH is now even more tailored to the interests of its visitors. The exhibition halls have been reorganized into eight solution fields, all centered around the overarching themes of sustainability and digitalization. “In principle, the event is undergoing a kind of metamorphosis from a straightforward product exhibition to a solution-oriented application show,” explains Stefan Seitz, Director Brand Management at ISH. This means that content and knowledge transfer take place in direct thematic proximity to the relevant exhibitors. Under the motto “Solutions for a Sustainable Future,” the fair focuses on innovative technologies and concepts for environmentally friendly and efficient heat generation, responsible water management, and clean air. Among the more than 2,000 exhibitors, numerous industry leaders are once again taking part.

ISH offers a diverse supporting program: For example, the high- profile Building Future Conference (registration is required) takes place at the Portalhaus on the exhibition grounds. This accompanying event focuses on forward-looking topics in building and construction technology for intelligent buildings of the future. Meanwhile, on 17 and 18 March, the Value of Water Conference, held as an independent forum, brings together leading experts to discuss the importance of water as a resource and the global water crisis. Furthermore, inspiring special areas—including Pop up my Bathroom (Hall 3.1), Green Roofs and Façades (between Halls 5.1 and 6.1), “Treffpunkt Handwerk,” the meeting place for artisans (Hall 6.1), or Wood Energy (Hall 11)—as well as guided tours offer an ideal opportunity to obtain specific information.

Centrally located within the Sanitary Spaces solution field, the Pop up my Bathroom trend exhibition (Hall 3.1, D71) presents the bathroom as a holistic space. Curated by trend researcher Frank A. Reinhardt, it offers architects and planners insights into state-of-the-art bathroom design. In addition to manufacturers of wall paneling and flooring, ISH exhibitors include Axor, burgbad, Bette, Duravit, Hansgrohe, Hewi, Ideal Standard, Kaldewei, VitraBad, and Villeroy & Boch. 

A wide-ranging lecture and discussion format complements the trend exhibition. This year, the program is curated by several partners, including VDS, the VDMA Sanitary Technology and Design industry association, World Architects, Stylepark, and Architonic. The Design Plaza (D71, Hall 3.1) serves as the meeting place for various formats and is the starting point for the Talks+Tours and Guided Tours, i.e. the guided trade fair tours and lectures organized by World-Architects.

For four days, World-Architects (Design Plaza, Hall 3.1) hosts industry talks and guided tours featuring internationally renowned experts. The Talks+Tours and Guided Tours—partly based on the trend exhibition Pop up my Bathroom—focus on the bathroom as a living space, experiences with water in interior spaces, design in the modern bathroom, water as a vital element, new sanitary and building technology for sustainable architecture, or, with regard to sustainable energy concepts, holistic engineering. The first combined event of Talk+Tours takes place on Monday from 12:00 PM, featuring Peter Ippolito (Ippolito Fleitz Group, Stuttgart). His keynote speech (English) is titled: “The stage is yours: The bathroom as a space for all the senses, sustainable indulgence, and mental relaxation. And an expression of your own personal identity.” Following this, Klaus de Winder (de Winder Architekten, Berlin) then provides further inspiration. From Tuesday to Thursday, Guided Tours are held by Barbara Wiethoff (JOI-Design, Hamburg), Sylvia Leydecker (100% interior Sylvia Leydecker, Cologne), Markus Pfeil (PKi holistic engineering, Cologne), Elena Laschewitsch and Yordanka Rotta (ABOUTLAMA, Mannheim), and Michael Burghaus (architekturbüro .pg1, Kaiserslautern). Alexander Brenner (Alexander Brenner Architekten, Stuttgart) concludes the event with his keynote (German) on “New, Brand-New, and Proven Concepts.”

For the first time, ISH features a special area dedicated to Green Roofs & Façades, highlighting the potential of building greenery through various formats—short presentations, practical tours, and expert talks. Events take place in the foyer between Halls 5.1 and 6.1. The partners of the special area are the Bundesverband GebäudeGrün (BuGG; German Association of Building Greening), Bundesverband für Betriebs- und Regenwasser (FbR; German Association for Water Recycling and Rainwater Harvesting), and Zentralverband Sanitär, Heizung, Klima (ZVSHK – German Sanitation, Heating, and Air Conditioning Association). Dr Gunter Mann, President of BuGG, who closely monitors market trends, explains: “Unfortunately, many builders and planners still have prejudices and reservations about green roofs and green walls. We are able not only to draw on around 50 years of experience and tried and tested guidelines. We also have experts at our disposal and can point to around 150 million square meters of completed green roofs—more than any other country!” 

Green roofs and façades play a crucial role in urban rainwater management, among other things. One of the key topics at ISH is the future of water-bearing systems (Halls 4.0, 4.2, 6.0, 9.0, and 9.1). From efficient drinking water and heating circuits to the sustainable use of process or rainwater: innovative water technologies play a key role in reducing water consumption and operating costs.

Germany and Europe face major challenges in meeting their ambitious climate protection goals. This puts the heating market—the largest energy consumption sector— at the heart of the heating revolution. In the Heat Generation solution field, manufacturers showcase the most important trends and innovations in heating technology. In addition to heat generation technologies, the latest advancements in efficient heat distribution, transfer, and storage are presented. Digital solutions, such as energy management systems, are also a key focus at ISH. With the special area Wood Energy in Hall 11, the trade fair—together with its main partners, Bundesverband der Deutschen Heizungsindustrie (BDH – Federal Association of the German Heating Industry) and Zentralverband Sanitär Heizung Klima (ZVSHK – German Sanitation, Heating, and Air Conditioning Association)—is making a strong statement in favor of wood as a renewable energy source. Further valuable impetus into energy-efficient and sustainable building concepts is provided by the German Energy Consultants’ Conference on March 20 and the House of Energy Congress on March 19 and 20. Both events take place at the Congress Center of Messe Frankfurt. With this comprehensive approach, ISH 2025 is not only a platform for technical innovation but also a key forum for professional discussions on the challenges and opportunities of the heating revolution.