Post-Event Report – SCHULBAU Stuttgart 2026

On February 25 and 26, 2026, the Carl Benz Arena in Stuttgart became a meeting point for educational construction. The SCHULBAU – International Salon and Exhibition united municipalities, architecture, specialist planning, and industry, focusing on economical, sustainable, and pedagogically sound solutions.

Million-Euro Contracts at the SCHULBAU Exhibition – Exhibitors Enthusiastic!

Since 2016, the federal government, states, and municipalities have been investing billions annually in school construction and renovation; in Baden-Württemberg alone, the volume exceeds 1.5 billion euros. Against this backdrop, SCHULBAU Stuttgart 2026 sent a clear signal: educational buildings demand strategic planning, precise prioritization, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The first day of the exhibition focused on economical construction methods, the further development of existing buildings, and how robust constructions can be reconciled with pedagogical requirements. Lectures and discussion formats addressed serial timber and hybrid construction methods, energy-efficient renovations, and ESG criteria. Contributions from politics and professional practice – including those by Katrin Steinhülb-Joos and Prof. Dr. Thomas Riecke-Baulecke – spanned topics from educational policy to digitalization and concrete school projects.

Case studies, such as the Herrsching Grammar School by Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Felix Schürmann or insights into the Langweid am Lech Primary and Secondary School, illustrated how learning apartments, specialized clusters, and flexible spatial structures physically support pedagogical concepts. In the “Kitchen Table” dialogue, Dr. Christine Lemaitre (DGNB e.V.) and Wolfgang Häußler (FVHF e.V.) discussed sustainability and architectural responsibility with Kirsten Jung.

The international perspective was broadened by contributions from Norway and Denmark. Marion Pflugfelder (SPINN Ark.) as well as Rasmus Iversen and Natalía Bazaiou (Geonome) showcased transformation strategies in educational construction between Scandinavia and Southern Europe. The subsequent matchmaking with BloxHub.dk underscored the European exchange.

The second day of the exhibition focused on digitalization, AI, and multiple uses. Kerstin Niendorf opened the program together with Kirsten Jung. Discussions covered digital infrastructure within the framework of the Digital Pact, AI-supported applications in daily school life, and hybrid usage concepts for limited space resources. Formats for inclusion, special needs education construction practice, and nutrition education complemented the spectrum.

A particular highlight was the presentation of the NeckarPark Education Center by Marco Tschöp. This timber-hybrid project combines a full-day primary school, a children’s and family center, a community college, and a sports hall into an integrated educational hub in the Bad Cannstatt urban district. The subsequent excursion clearly demonstrated how urban development and educational infrastructure intertwine.

Throughout both days, intense discussions and professional depth characterized the atmosphere. In the Planning Café, concrete projects were discussed, networks strengthened, and initiatives launched. Instead of superficial product presentations, solution-oriented dialogues between school building authorities, planners, and industry partners predominated.

Stuttgart 2026 demonstrated that educational construction is undergoing a phase of readjustment. Existing building transformation, digital integration, and sustainable material strategies are coming to the forefront. The SCHULBAU – International Salon and Exhibition remains the platform where perspectives are sharpened, projects are concretized, and collaborations are initiated.