Heritage Hackathon 2026: Saving buildings together

The Heritage Hackathon is conceived as an open workshop right in the heart of the exhibition centre. Rather than simply discussing the challenges involved in preserving existing buildings, we want to work together on a specific building and bring together as many relevant perspectives as possible within a short space of time.

Over two days, the selected heritage building will be examined step by step from various angles. These include, in particular:

•Context, needs and potential: What role can the building play in the future for its locality and the local community?

•Existing structure and building research: What is currently in place, what is worth preserving, and what structural constraints need to be taken into account?

•Use and planning: What uses are conceivable, and how can they be integrated with the existing structure?

•Heritage protection, technology and energy: What technical requirements and possibilities does the building present?

•Economic viability, financing and funding: Under what financial conditions can a revitalisation succeed?

•Organisation and operating models: Who can support the project in future, and what constellations of stakeholders are required for this?

•Consolidation of findings: The various perspectives are consolidated into an initial holistic development vision for the building.

In doing so, we expressly wish to harness the collective intelligence of the trade fair. The hackathon is not a closed, specialist event. Trade fair visitors, experts, students, tradespeople and anyone else with an interest are invited to drop by, contribute their ideas and share their perspectives.

Anyone wishing to participate more actively in the two-day workshop is welcome to get in touch with us in advance.

On Saturday, the ideas and results will be presented and discussed publicly. The aim is to highlight the potential that arises when different disciplines and stakeholders work together – rather than one after the other – to save a building.

Thursday, 5 November 2026

Table 1: Concept and Development

Table 2: Construction and Engineering

10:00 – 12:00: Context, requirements and strategic positioning, current status, building history and heritage protection

13:00 – 14:30: Usage concept and business model, building fabric, damage and renovation requirements

15:00 – 16:30: Spatial concept and floor plan, energy concept and building services

Friday, 6 November 2026

10:00 – 12:00: Organisation, stakeholders and funding model Preliminary cost estimate and action plan

13:00 – 14:30: Economic viability, funding and finance, specialist planning and structural feasibility

15:00 – 16:30: Communication, implementation and next steps, heritage assessment and overall technical evaluation

Saturday, 7 November 2026

All day: Presentation of results at the exhibition stand and possible stage slot, still to be confirmed