EXPO REAL 2026: Three days of exchange on the future of existing buildings
Three intensive days at EXPO REAL 2026 are behind us. From 5 to 7 October, ecoworks was in Munich, exchanging ideas with housing companies, real estate developers, partners and industry representatives around one key question: How can we transform existing buildings faster, more economically and more sustainably?
At our booth in the Verbände+ joint exhibition area, in numerous conversations and across four panel discussions, the focus was on serial renovation, scalability, ESG, sustainable construction and affordable housing.
Serial renovation + X: Tackling complex existing-building projects together
One of our highlights at EXPO REAL was the presentation of our new collaboration with BATEG and gibbins Architekten.
Complex projects in existing buildings often involve much more than energy renovation alone. Rooftop extensions, new balconies, building services, lifts, accessibility measures and other structural modifications need to be planned and implemented as part of an integrated approach.
Through our collaboration, we combine serial renovation, general planning and complex construction services for demanding projects in existing buildings. ecoworks contributes its expertise in serial energy renovation, BATEG in complex construction, and gibbins in architecture and general planning.
Under the concept of “Serial Renovation + X”, we can therefore create integrated solutions for the long-term and sustainable development of existing buildings.
SerSan 1.0: Scaling serial renovation further
The new SerSan 1.0 framework agreement for serial renovation, initiated by GdW, the German Construction Industry Federation and dena, was another important topic at EXPO REAL.
The Verbände+ joint exhibition area provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the next steps and how serial renovation can be rolled out on a broader scale.
For us, one thing is clear: Standardised processes, greater planning certainty and the ability to transfer experience from one project to the next are key to scaling serial renovation successfully.
Four panels, four perspectives on the future of building stock
ecoworks was also strongly represented on the stages of EXPO REAL this year.
During the “Schnell und Seriell” session, our Head of Sales Sebastian Eck used our projects with GWW Wiesbadener Wohnbaugesellschaft to demonstrate how lessons learned from an initial serial renovation project can be transferred to subsequent projects. The discussion focused on how processes can be repeated, optimised and gradually scaled.
On the Transform & Beyond Stage, our Managing Director & COO Paul Birkner discussed the 80/20 rule for ESG in real estate and how companies can focus their resources on the measures with the greatest impact when transforming their building portfolios.
During the DGNB panel, our Founder & CEO Emanuel Heisenberg discussed how sustainable construction and renovation can become more cost-effective. One key aspect was the importance of looking beyond initial investment costs and considering a building over its entire life cycle.
To close the event, Emanuel also joined the Flexible Housing Forum. Together with representatives from the housing sector, real estate development and planning, the panel explored how the transformation of existing buildings, affordable housing, value creation and risk management can be brought together.
Strong interest in solutions for renovating occupied buildings
Our booth also provided the setting for many detailed discussions about practical solutions for existing buildings.
Our prefabricated building-services module for vertical riser renovation in occupied buildings attracted particular interest. The module enables new utility lines to be routed outside existing apartments, significantly reducing the need for invasive work inside occupied bathrooms.
The many conversations once again demonstrated the strong demand for solutions that make renovation faster and more predictable while keeping disruption for residents to a minimum.
Thank you for three intensive days at EXPO REAL
We are taking many new ideas, contacts and conversations back with us from Munich.
A big thank you to EXPO REAL, our partners at the Verbände+ joint exhibition area, all panellists and moderators, and of course everyone who visited our booth, joined the discussions and shared their perspectives with us.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and working together to shape the future of existing buildings.
