- Top professionals Shuichi Kobari of Toyo Ito, Héctor Ruiz, Jose María Tomás, Ramón Esteve, Daniel Solves, Juan Blázquez and César Ruiz-Larrea will all be speaking as part of a programme of talks about design, architecture and the new materials available for contract projects.
Valencia, 19th January 2018.- The use of wood in contract projects as an element that is versatile and sustainable and the search for new materials that are more innovative and have been adapted technologically are the key issues to be addressed in the packed programme of talks being given within the upcoming FIMMA – Maderalia fair, which runs from 6th to 9th February at Feria Valencia. The fair organizers have put together an impressive line-up of world class international specifiers who will be taking part in the various forums and seminars taking place over the four days of the fair.
One of the key events is the Sustainable Contract Seminar that is scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday 8th and will be taking place in the Foro Maderalia lecture room (N3P7). At the seminar a group of eminent architecture, design and interior design professionals together with companies including Häfele, Faus, Ica, Emedec, Sonae Arauco and Alvic will be demonstrating how wood is an essential material in sustainable architecture, with its combination of beauty and cost efficiency being a winning argument for it to be used in the growing contract sector. The seminar is being organized by Grupo Vía and speakers include architects José María Tomás, Juan Blázquez, Daniel Muñoz, Daniel Solbes, César Ruiz Larrea, Héctor Ruiz Velázquez and Ramón Esteve.
The Valencian architect has in fact put his name to another of the great highlights of this next FIMMA – Maderalia; the ‘Easy Contract’, exhibit for which, in the centre of Pavilion N3P6, Ramón Esteve will be creating different spaces and rooms from an urban hotel in an unique architectural style and using the most innovative materials and processes that can be found in the marketplace right now. A number of exhibitors are collaborating with him on this project, namely Sonae Arauco, Grupo Alvic, Faus, Viters, Bariperfil, Emedec, Puricelli, Thyssen Krupp Plastic Ibérica, Arkos Light and Revert Contract.
As well as these architects, there are also other very prominent names from the international arena in the line-up who do not want to miss this next FIMMA – Maderalia, such as Japanese architect Shuichi Kobari, from Pritzker prize-winning Toyo Ito who will be giving a talk on design and architecture on the afternoon of Wednesday 7th February as part of Italian sponsor Olivari’s programme of lectures.
On the same afternoon and reflecting its increasingly close ties with the contract world, Andalusian firm Alvic will be heading a workshop themed on design and how the company’s products can be used in different types of project. Sub-titled ‘Inspiring Ideas’, Alvic’s session will be a conversation between Puerto Rican architect Héctor Ruiz Velázquez, Alvic’s sales director Manuel Pizarro and the company’s export director, Julián Ramírez.
The main event for the contract sector will be the APA Contract Forum/FIPA Automatic Door Forum, geared specially to the sector, which is also exhibiting at FIMMA Maderalia 2018. Taking place on the morning of 6th February the sessions will address a range of issues related to contract projects including maintenance, security and positioning.
The value of “genuine wood”
FIMMA – Maderalia is also the setting for a themed space titled Timber Experience / Espacio AEIM. Presented by AEIM (the Spanish Timber Industry and Trade Association), the space will be used to promote the many different areas in which “genuine wood” can be used: construction, architecture, structures, interior design and design.
The Timber Experience will be in Pavilion N3P6, at Stand C107 and will feature a number of events over the four days of the fair. One of the most interesting, without a doubt, will be the session dedicated exclusively to the new models of sustainable construction using timber, which is on Wednesday 8th February, with speakers including young architects Sergio Baragaño and María Sánchez Ontín. Both will be showing practical examples of projects in which timber played a major role, such as the innovative Casa Montaña.
The ‘Timber Experience’ zone is also where the AEIM will be giving its presentation on wooden facades on Thursday 8th and Neil Summers (Technical Consultant at AHEC) will be giving a presentation, also on Thursday, on how to install facades correctly – essential for projects to be completed successfully.
The zone also includes the “Too good to waste” exhibition, stage by AHEC (the American Hardwood Export Council). This is an interactive installation designed by Benedetta Tagliabue of EMBT and made by Benchmark’s artisan carpenters out of American oak, maple, cherry and tulipwood. This daring installation in wood comprises four individual, unique pieces that, as visitors walk through, change to reveal elegant pieces of hidden furniture.
AEIM’s Timber Experience ‘classroom’ is also where the Course on ‘applying the EUTR required standards’ and ‘certification in the timber value chain’ will be given by PEFC España. Attendants will include representatives of national and regional governments along with forestry experts.
The packed programme of events at FIMMA – Maderalia is being complemented by a programme of themed talks given by companies exhibiting. They include Sugimat, which is giving a presentation at the Foro Maderalia on the morning of Wednesday 7th February, on the ‘application of artificial sight in automated thermal plants’. Multi-national timber company Garnica is also giving a talk at the Forum, on the new fire-resistant plywood.
All professionals visiting FIMMA – Maderalia will be able to attend to the impressive Cevisama lecture programme, with speakers this time including Pritzkerprize winners Eduardo Souto de Moura and Rafael Moneo as well as Francisco Mangado and Emilio Tuñón.
