Facades
today

Coming Soon MILAN - ITALY
Opening day of Facades Today: voices shaping the future of façades.

Location

Facades Today will be held at the Monte Rosa 91 Auditorium in Milan.
Milan, Monte Rosa 91, Auditorium
Coming Soon — 09:00 to 18:00

The Format?

Facades Today is a one-day international event packed with fresh perspectives on the future of building skins.
Through a fast-paced format of short talks and case-driven presentations, the day is structured into three thematic chapters:
1

Breaking Ground

Experts reveal insights from research, prototyping and experimentation—what’s driving innovation in façade systems today?
2

Tools & Tectonics

From responsive materials to AI-driven workflows, we explore the digital and physical tools behind emerging envelope designs.
3

Context & Meaning

Façades don’t exist in isolation.
This segment looks at their cultural, social and environmental role in shaping urban identity.

With 12+ speakers from architecture, engineering and manufacturing, the program moves fast: 15 minutes per talk, big ideas, no fluff.
Join us to hear what’s next in façades — straight from those shaping the mading

Explore the Future of Façade Design

A one-day conference on innovation, design, and cultural meaning in building envelopes.  
Expect bold insights, case studies, and what’s next in façades.
Learn More
1.

DATE

Coming Soon — 09:00 to 18:00
2.

LOCATION

Milan, Monte Rosa 91 – Auditorium
3.

AUDIENCE

Designers, engineers & makers and facade enthusiasts.
4.

CONTACTS

facades@foolsforfacades.com

Event Agenda

Topics may be adapted by the speakers depending on their area of expertise.
Thematic tags support a clear narrative across the day, and help the audience navigate the diversity of approaches and disciplines.

Time
Session
Theme
09:00 - 09:15
Moderator – Opening Remarks
Introduction
09:15 – 10:15
Speakers 2–5 – Talks on Cultural Interfaces & Digital Design
Visions / Methods
10:15 – 10:30
Coffee-Break
10:30 – 11:30
Speakers 6–9 – Talks on Glass, Bioclimatics & Performance
Materials / Methods
11:30 – 12:00
Speakers 10–11 – Innovation & Lifecycle Focus
Materials
12:00 – 13:15
Lunch Break
13:15 – 13:45
Speakers 12–13 – Retrofitting & Climate Adaptation
Visions / Env.
13:45 – 14:00
Panel Discussion – Façades Ahead: Challenges & Change
All Panelists
14:00 – 14:15
Coffee Break
14:15 – 14:45
Guest Talk + Audience Q&A
Cross-cutting
14:45 – 16:00
Networking & Exhibition Walkthrough + Wrap-up
Informal
16:00 – 18:00
Closing Aperitivo + Meet the Speakers
Networking

Join the Day

REGISTER TO ATTEND Register your interest to attend and stay updated about the full program and speakers.

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APPLY AS A SPEAKER. Submit your proposal and be part of the conversation on façades shaping tomorrow’s cities.

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Speakers

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Followed by professionals from:

ARUP
April 13, 2026
PEOPLE

FFF Talks, SIEGENIA | The Future of Smart Windows & Connected Façades

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Milan, 24th April 2026
From Components to Systems

Traditionally, windows and doors have been treated as isolated elements, defined by performance metrics like thermal insulation, airtightness, or security.

But today, according to Markus Bade, the industry is moving toward something much broader: a fully integrated system approach

This means that openings are no longer standalone products.
They are becoming part of a connected ecosystem, interacting with:

– building automation systems
– environmental sensors
– HVAC infrastructure
– user interfaces

The implication is profound: windows are evolving into a system of intelligence.

The Rise of Connected Comfort

One of the key ideas behind SIEGENIA’s vision is what they define as 360° room comfort.

This concept merges multiple layers of performance into one unified experience:

– natural and controlled ventilation
– safety and security
– automation and smart control
– ease of use

Rather than optimizing each element separately, the goal is to create a holistic indoor environment where systems communicate seamlessly.

This is where technologies like KNX integration and emerging standards such as Matter become critical.

KNX, Matter and the Future of Smart Buildings

The integration of façade systems into building automation is no longer experimental.

Through solutions like the KNX Gateway, SIEGENIA enables windows, doors, and ventilation systems to become active participants in a building’s digital infrastructure.

This allows:

– centralized control of openings
– automated ventilation scenarios
– real-time response to environmental data
– integration with lighting, shading, and HVAC

Looking forward, the adoption of Matter points toward an even more interoperable future, where devices from different manufacturers can communicate within a shared ecosystem.

In this scenario, the window is no longer just an opening.
It becomes a node in the network.

Designing for a New User Experience

As systems become more complex, usability becomes critical.

Bade highlights how future development is not just about adding features, but about balancing:

– technical performance
– intuitive interaction
– reliability
– integration simplicity

The challenge is clear:
how do you make advanced systems feel effortless to the user?

This is where product design, software, and hardware engineering must converge.

Looking Ahead

As buildings become smarter, more connected, and more user-centric, the role of the façade will continue to expand.

What was once a boundary is now becoming an active interface between people, environment, and technology.

And in this transformation, windows may turn out to be one of the most important elements of all.

About the series

FFF Talks is a content format by Fools for Façades, exploring conversations with industry leaders shaping the future of the building envelope.

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Companies Engaged
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About the event

"Facades Today": is a one-day conference exploring contemporary approaches to façade design, innovation, and cultural meaning.
Expect critical insights, surprising case studies, and practical visions for what comes next in urban envelopes.

Learn more
  • Location

    Location:
    Milan, Monte Rosa 91 - Auditorium

  • Date:
    April 24, 2026 — 09:00 to 18:00

  • Audience:
    The people who shape buildings—designers, engineers & makers

  • Contact: events@foolsforfacades.com

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