Application specialist architects and planners at SIHGA GmbH

SIHGA is a pioneer in the field of innovative timber construction technology. Founded in 2003, the company offers high-quality fastening solutions, with its innovative strength manifested in a wide range of products.

The innovation leader for fastening technology in timber construction on the topic of “Timber of the facade: state of the art and new solutions.”

From Alu-TeFix to TerrassenFix and a total of more than 30 pioneering products. The company is not only known for its numerous patents and awards, but also for its commitment to setting new standards in timber construction. Whether in terrace, façade or concrete construction: SIHGA stands for the highest quality, fast assembly and durable constructions that ensure safety on the construction site and at the same time drive progress in timber construction.

Head of Division Austria & Member of the Executive Board of STRABAG AG

Markus Engerth has been with the STRABAG Group since 1988. He started out as a construction technician in building construction in Vienna. Step by step, he worked his way up to construction manager, group manager, division manager and director in Vienna, until he finally became a member of the Executive Board and technical division manager in Austria.

Markus Engerth is committed to optimising construction methods and has made it his goal to restructure processes by rethinking working methods in building construction. For him, BIM 5D and LEAN Construction are the key to success.

One approach for the construction of tomorrow: CO2 reduction with prefabrication.

Markus Engerth will participate in the PANEL DISCUSSION on the topic of ‘Circular Construction’.

Director Az W / Architekturzentrum Wien

Director Az W / Architekturzentrum Wien Angelika Fitz has been director of the Architekturzentrum Wien since 2017. Previously, she worked internationally as a curator, visiting professor and author in the field of architecture and urbanism. Her focus is on the social contextualisation of architecture, the use of resources and a planetary perspective. In 2003 and 2005 she curated the Austrian contribution to the Architecture Biennale in Sao Paulo. She is internationally active as a lecturer and member of advisory boards and juries, including as a member of the Federal IBA Expert Council in Berlin.

Her areas of specialisation: Architecture and urbanism, social contextualisation of architecture, resource use and a planetary perspective.

Angelika Fitz takes part in the PANEL DISCUSSION on the topic of “Circular Construction”.

ArcelorMittal Steligence® Advanced Building Solutions & Sustainability Lead | Austria and Switzerland

Buildings and their construction currently account for 36% of global energy consumption and 39% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing these figures is clearly key to meeting the environmental and sustainability commitments made in both the 2016 Paris Agreement and the EU Green Deal.

Realising the promise – producing tomorrow’s steel today!

As a company, ArcelorMittal is committed to reducing its own CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. ArcelorMittal aims to lead the global steel industry in the decarbonisation of steel production and has launched a series of challenging new initiatives and green innovation projects. Under the XCarb™ umbrella brand and the XCarb® range of low-emission steels, ArcelorMittal already offers products and construction solutions that enable architects, builders, civil engineers and steel fabricators to deliver projects with a significantly lower carbon footprint.

Managing Director of BUWOG Group GmbH and BUWOG Bauträger GmbH

As Managing Director of BUWOG Group GmbH, Andreas Holler has been responsible for project development, construction management, sales and acquisitions in Austria for ten years. Under his leadership, BUWOG’s development pipeline has been greatly expanded over the past few years. Born in Vienna, he holds a degree in Business Administration from the Boston University School of Management and completed INSEAD’s Young Manager’s Programme in Fontainebleau.

Following his great interest in the property sector, he was already working in project development in Eastern Europe in the early 2000s. From 2008 he worked for IMMOEAST and IMMOFINANZ in various management positions, including in the investment, residential property and development sectors.

BUWOG realises new construction in harmony with ecological, economic and social sustainability. The aim is to consider the sustainability of building materials over the entire life cycle of a building – from the initial planning to the complete recycling of materials.

Andreas Holler takes part in the PANEL DISCUSSION on the topic of “Circular Construction”.

Endowed Professor for Sustainable Real Estate Development at FH Wien der WKW and ÖGNI delegate to the World Green Building Council, Vice President of the Circular Economy Forum

Anna-Vera Deinhammer holds a degree in architecture and a doctorate in integral engineering. She is currently an endowed professor for sustainable real estate development at the Vienna University of Applied Sciences (WKW), vice president of the Circular Economy Forum Austria and international representative of the Austrian Green Industry Institute (ÖGNI) in the World Green Building Council and the Climate Positive Europe Alliance in Brussels. Her focus is on circular economy in construction, integral construction and engineering research and sustainable urban and real estate development.

FROM MYOPIA TO PROTOPIA: Anna-Vera Deinhammer gives a short introduction on “Redefining ESG for a regenerative tomorrow” at the Meet the Architect Chimney talk.

Anna-Vera Deinhammer takes part in the PANEL DISCUSSION on the topic of “Circular Construction”.

Founder and Managing Partner of Ulreich Bauträger GmbH

“For me, changing the world for the better means creating sustainable living space in my neighbourhood for the benefit of all. Consideration for the environment and neighbourhood is so important because we can only live together in safety and peace. Nobody can do anything on their own. That’s why creating living space is a vocation for me, and building houses is a matter close to my heart!” Hans-Jörg Ulreich

Hans-Jörg Ulreich has been working in the property sector since 1992 and has been the managing partner of Ulreich Bauträger GmbH since 1999. He has been a property developer spokesman for the WKO since 2010. He has also been a lecturer at various universities and universities of applied sciences since 2012.

Sustainability for people and the environment, realised with the highest quality and safety.

Hans-Jörg Ulreich takes part in the PANEL DISCUSSION on the topic of “Circular Construction”.

Business Development @ Peneder Holding GmbH

Peneder Holding is a traditional family business with two international units. In both industrial construction and fire protection, the company stands for innovation, speed, high quality and the greatest possible customer focus. FAST FORWARD is the core competence that almost 400 employees live every day – as a general contractor and manufacturer of fire protection doors and gates.

On Stage @ Meet the Architect: Sufficiency and efficiency in fire protection doors 2025

Fire protection is one of the essential components of modern construction methods. But how can modular room concepts with changing requirements in terms of fire protection, accessibility, efficiency and sustainability be realised? And what happens to products at the end of their service life?

Management / Raiffeisen WohnBau & President / Salon Real

Gerhild Bensch-König has been a member of the management team of Raiffeisen WohnBau – the property developer for privately financed residential construction in the Austrian Raiffeisen sector – since 2016. She leads an interdisciplinary team of project developers, sellers and asset managers and is responsible for acquisitions, project development and sales as well as the management of a diversified commercial property portfolio.

She was elected to the Salon Real Board of Directors in 2021 and became its President in 2023. Gerhild Bensch-König is regarded as an accomplished networker with a keen sense of market trends and the needs of property seekers – sustainability has always been a key concern for her.

She has used the digital transformation of the real estate industry to develop innovative tools that make it easier to find a home. She is particularly passionate about the “Art and Living” initiative, in which a unique work of art is created for each project in the “Quality Living” series, bridging the gap between architecture, living space and culture.

Gerhild Bensch-König takes part in the PANEL DISCUSSION on the topic of “Circular Construction”.

Managing Partner / O&O Baukunst

Markus Penell studied architecture and urban planning at the Technical University of Berlin and has been with O&O Baukunst since 1996. He has headed the Berlin office since 2001 and has been a managing partner since 2011, alongside Laurids and Manfred Ortner, Roland Duda, and Florian Matzker.

Markus Penell has taught at various European universities, including the Düsseldorf Art Academy, the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Basel. He currently holds a visiting professorship in Graz and Tbilisi.

Markus Penell is the opening speaker at Meet the Architect on November 27, 2025, at the Marx Halle in Vienna

With his many years of experience in cultural and residential construction, Markus Penell embodies a deep understanding of the connection between existing buildings, cities, materiality, and energy. His projects combine sensitivity to context and sustainability with architectural precision. House of Austrian History (MuseumsQuartier Vienna) In 2023, Penell’s team won the architecture competition for a new timber-frame building that blends sensitively with the historic existing structure—an ensemble of great value in terms of urban planning and content, which is scheduled to be built from 2028.

Christina Brunner studied architecture at the Vienna University of Technology and gained valuable experience in various architectural firms and research projects with a focus on sustainability. Her particular expertise lies in daylight planning – a topic she explored in depth during her many years at VELUX Austria, where she supported architects in evaluating lighting conditions in buildings. Today, she is responsible for architectural communication in the DACH region, bringing her passion for natural light and sustainable building into dialogue with the planning community.

LKR Innovation House
Hub for research and development

The LKR Innovation House represents the VELUX Group’s long-standing commitment to innovation,
sustainability and renovation in line with the vision, values and philosophy of our founder.