In his keynote speech, Dr. Stefan Tostmann from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy outlined the enormous energy policy challenges that will be faced during the next few decades, and in so doing made one thing clear: Without the committed work of architects and designers, as well as developers and investors, all politically determined efficiency goals are doomed to failure. An opportunity was provided during the evening to continue the discussions in a cosy atmosphere. The Rosenheim team supplied the music and two very special attractions…

An opportunity was then provided during the evening to continue the discussions in a cosy atmosphere. The Rosenheim team provided live music, but the real highlights were a timber decathlon and a conjuring professor.

The Rosenheimers’ particular affinity to timber is already known. Sawing, nailing, screwing – based on the Solar Decathlon, the competitors in this competition had to demonstrate their expertise and knowledge in five practical and five theoretical disciplines relating to timber and the Rosenheim solar home. Moderated by Marcus Wehner, the project manager who headed the successful Rosenheim team in the Solar Decathlon Europe 2010, the young guns from Rosenheim showed that they had a slight edge in the timber decathlon. Nevertheless, the equally practically minded professors and ministerial officials showed that they were no pushovers.

Before the timber prize was awarded, Professor Michael Krödel, an expert for building automation and technology from Rosenheim, entertained the conference delegates with a magic show. The conjuring professor even showed some of his tricks in slow motion without anyone getting wise to what he was doing.