Events and trainings
2 years of the NEXT Studio in Frankfurt

Two years ago, together with leading industry partners, WICONA opened the NEXT Studio in Frankfurt am Main. Since then, the attractive platform dedicated to the building envelope has firmly established itself in the industry.


As well as WICONA, 10 more companies are currently presenting future trends in product development and the latest reference projects in the 750-m² showroom. In addition, high-calibre specialist events also regularly take place in the NEXT Studio. For architects, specialist planners, project developers, fabricators and students, it is known as: “See what’s NEXT”.


Changing exhibits and mock-ups for constant new inspiration

One of the latest is with Glassline – a specialist in products for sophisticated, frameless glass architecture – one more new partner with its own exhibition area there. “With 10 partners now, we’re fully booked at the moment, and we even have a waiting list. That shows that our concept of cooperation has really struck a chord in the industry. Here, it’s not just a single showroom of one manufacturer. We offer the combined competence of leading companies in the window and door industry and, at the same time, offer an idea meeting point for all those involved. By regularly changing the exhibits and holding high-calibre events on current hot topics, we also continually offer new inspiration to visitors who have visited us several times”, concludes Florian Vogel, head of WICONA project consulting. And Hans-Dieter Wahl – Managing Director of the surface-finishing specialist HD Wahl and partner from the very start – is still convinced about the NEXT concept: “Here, we have the opportunity to present our product ranges among respected partners in façade technology and in façade construction, and constantly communicate with each other at the same time. That is unique in the industry.”

The ideal platform for interdisciplinary communication


However is it not only the NEXT partners, but also the visitors to the NEXT Studio – surveyed at the third Façade Planning specialist workshop on 16th May 2019 – who value the benefits of the partner concept. As Johannes Schafelner, Senior Associate at Zaha Hadid Architects puts it, “The NEXT Studio offers the chance for interdisciplinary communication with developers, specialist planners and leading companies. So we can develop new ideas together and experience the products close up.” Jürgen Einck from DS-Plan explains: “The exciting thing about the concept is that we can obtain a lot of information quickly and concisely, have face-to-face discussions with industry stakeholders and always take home new ideas.”

©WICONA/Mediashots