From May 10 to 14th, a full-scale residential building will be erected step by step on the open-air site of the world-leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry.
Built using modern wood-frame construction, the project will take shape from the foundation slab to the topping-out ceremony. The new LIGNA.Builds format is being realised in partnership with holzbau.tech of Rosenheim, which brings many years of expertise in modern timber construction to the project. Scientific oversight is provided by Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences.
Located adjacent to the expo roof, the live construction site will give visitors a front-row view of the entire building process. What makes the project unique is that the structure being built during the trade show is not a demonstration model, but a full-scale, fully functional home. After LIGNA concludes, it will be carefully dismantled, transported to its permanent location, and reassembled on the homeowner's property.
“The idea of building a house during LIGNA emerged early in the planning process for LIGNA.27,” says Stephanie Wagner, Head of LIGNA at Deutsche Messe AG. “As we explored which themes and highlights would be most relevant for LIGNA.27, the idea of building a house quickly evolved from an ambitious concept into a clear vision. We wanted to create something that every LIGNA exhibitor and visitor could relate to. It needed to have a tangible, highly visible connection to the industry while also leaving a lasting legacy.
"That led to the idea of constructing a house live during the trade show, bringing together the expertise of multiple technology and material partners. We call the project LIGNA.Builds, and with the team around Prof. Andreas Heinzmann at holzbau.tech in Rosenheim, we have found the perfect partner to bring this vision to life,” Wagner concludes.
Timber construction is emerging worldwide as one of the most important solutions for meeting the demands of sustainable building. Short construction timelines, a high degree of prefabrication, resource-efficient materials, and digital manufacturing processes are making modern timber construction a key driver of innovation across the construction industry. With LIGNA.Builds, LIGNA is introducing a new live format that brings this transformation to life in a unique and compelling way.
LIGNA.Builds brings the entire building process to life. From initial concept development – including the definition of structural elements and the selection of materials and components – to production planning and engineering, industrial prefabrication, and on-site assembly, visitors will experience firsthand how modern timber construction works in practice. The focus is not only on the machinery and technologies provided by exhibiting LIGNA participants, but above all on how they interact across the entire value chain.
“With LIGNA.Builds, we are making visible just how closely interconnected the entire process chain of modern timber construction really is," says Stephanie. "In addition to the machinery and products showcased at exhibitors’ booths, visitors will experience the complete journey from raw timber to a finished building – live and in action. It is precisely this level of integration that makes LIGNA unique worldwide.
"Another key aspect that sets this project apart is that LIGNA exhibitors are actively involved on-site throughout the trade show. They supply materials, tools, and even manufacture individual components on their machines in the exhibition halls. Depending on the size of the elements, they are either transported to the construction site overnight for safety reasons or, where feasible, moved live during the daytime show hours. The assembly of all components and the construction of the building take place throughout all exhibition days during regular opening hours.
“LIGNA.Builds is far more than a live construction site. It is an experience and an event for both exhibitors and visitors alike. There will be guided site tours, live assembly demonstrations, and interviews on selected topics. The topping-out ceremony – expected on the Thursday of the show – will be another highlight, as the building will be officially handed over to the owner and end customer at that point."
LIGNA.Builds is complemented by two additional formats in the open-air-site. With the LIGNA.Builds Village, an exhibitor space with a village-style concept is being created. In compact nine-square-metre wooden pavilions, technology providers and service companies present their solutions, products, and services related to modern timber construction. This village format fosters direct exchange between construction professionals, architects, planners, investors, and all trades involved in timber construction, extending the live construction site into a platform for networking, inspiration, and business development.
Adjacent to LIGNA.Builds is LIGNA.TruckStop, which is taking place for the second time following its debut in 2025 and is specifically geared toward the skilled trades. Manufacturers showcase power tools, hardware, fastening technology, and wood-based materials directly from show trucks and vans. Live demonstrations, technical presentations, and networking opportunities create a highly practical meeting point for carpenters, joiners, and timber construction professionals.
Together, LIGNA.Builds, the LIGNA.Builds Village, LIGNA.TruckStop, and the action and show truck stage form the new central hub in the open-air site. While a building is taking shape at the live construction site, companies in the Village present complementary solutions across the value chain, and the TruckStop showcases tools and applications directly from everyday trade practice. This creates a fully integrated trade fair experience that uniquely connects technology, application, and professional exchange.
With LIGNA.Builds, LIGNA is expanding its portfolio with an event format that not only explains the transformation of construction but demonstrates it live – clearly, practically, and in collaboration with the key players shaping the future of timber construction.
