Interview with Josep Miarnau, new President of the Organizing Committee of Construmat

For me it is a pride. I will try to bring my experience with the aim that Construmat will contribute to boost the sector and will help it to overcome the situation. It's an important personal and professional challenge.

In the reports of the situation is made clear that Spanish construction has witnessed over the last fifteen years, a unique stage. However, this scenario has changed dramatically. Current adjustment we must enable readjust to the construction sector in levels more consistent with our socio-economic reality, especially in what refers to residential construction.

It is clear that the current scenario is complicated and that the economic situation is not easy. It is therefore obvious that the pageant will suffer, taking into account, Furthermore, that the construction sector is not immune to this situation. But we are working to organize the best room of the building, now you can do in our country. Is that, despite the circumstances, in Spain there are few events as Construmat fair capable of bringing together so many exhibitors and professional visitors.

Construmat will once again show its unquestionable importance and is still setting up as the best platform for the construction of our country and one of the most important in Europe. At the moment, we are in the process of commercialization, and taking into account the difficult times facing the sector, we are working with all our strength to attract the widest possible companies. We are convinced that this Construmat will be a great Hall.

Throughout the thirty years of existence, Construmat has been next to the sector, being a true reflection of reality. At the moment, could not be less. Therefore, it is clear that all issues affecting the sector will be discussed in this issue. In fact, Construmat is the best forum for discussion on the construction and contemporary architecture. As a reference of the Spanish construction, promote dialogue, will pick up initiatives and provide solutions. In this way, it will try to help revitalise the sector.

A fair is a meeting point where the main objective is to do business and be able to see, touch and know the products that are exposed and at the same time maintain the personal and professional contacts. In a fair, an exhibitor can do more business than if you go to send their trade to visit potential buyers around the world and also allows you to reduce the cost of transaction between supply and demand. But, it is clear that new technologies are making not only the trade fair events but also the way we relate. One of the differential features of Construmat, in addition to its wide range on the sector, however, is its extensive programme of technical seminars. That is, the transfer of knowledge that is generated and I think that this can only be done in situ.

Construmat is the premier showcase of the Spanish construction which show thousands of products and technical innovations, subsequently applied in the various construction processes. At the organizational level, the main novelty is celebrate the Hall in a single enclosure, the Gran Via, in a decision that responds to the request expressed by many exhibitors and visitors and an idea in which Fira de Barcelona was working for a time. The present situation and greater available space with the launch of new contests that have emerged of Construmat Instalmat in 2008 as the new Hall of the bathroom, to be held for the first time in 2010, have done so feasible.

In 2009, is the fifth edition of the Casa Barcelona project showing four proposals for other so many prestigious architects to social, innovative and sustainable housing. The Pich Aguilera Studio has designed a two-story Pavilion that will occupy an area of 300 square meters and in which, under the technical direction of Ignacio Paricio, German Architects Sauerbruch Hutton, the Catalans Carme Pinós and Xavier Claramunt and Andrés Jaque Madrid took part.

In addition, we continue betting on the zoning with a new edition of sustainable construction, which will show the possibilities of a way of building more respectful with the environment, or the second edition of Pintudecora, unique space where the latest products and trends in decorative painting will be displayed. We also put the emphasis on prevention and job security with a day of debate and analysis in collaboration with the Gaudí Institute of building. The delivery of the Construmat awards for technological innovation complements the offer of this Construmat.

The Government has launched the Housing Plan 2009-2012 in which 4,000 million euros is earmarked for rehabilitation and a programme to expand the House of official protection for rent. I think this is good news and stresses that rehabilitation can be an alternative to relaunch the sector.