The 11th edition of Egurtek, a key forum for architecture and construction using wood, opened today at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC). The inaugural event was presided over by Amaia Barredo, Minister of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture, and Fisheries of the Basque Government, and included participation from José María González-Pinto, Dean of the Official College of Architects of the Basque Country and Navarre, Shaila Olmos, President of Baskegur, and Xabier Basañez, CEO of BEC.
Following the opening ceremony, authorities toured the Exhibition Area, visiting the stands of various participating companies. Amaia Barredo highlighted Egurtek's consolidation as a reference point for professionals in wood architecture and construction, stating: "It is a space for knowledge, for discovering new construction solutions, and, above all, for demonstrating that wood is a material with a huge present and a future full of possibilities. For the Basque Country, talking about wood means talking about forests, industry, employment, towns, and territorial cohesion."
Over the two days, Egurtek will feature a program combining knowledge, innovation, and collaboration opportunities. The Congress will gather prominent national and international experts to share experiences and projects, exploring the potential of wood in contemporary construction. Technical Conferences, organized by Baskegur, will address key sector challenges such as heritage rehabilitation, habitability, industrialization, and fire safety, complemented by presentations of European projects like GO CONÍFERAS+ and THRIVE.
The Exhibition Area will host nearly 80 national and international firms showcasing their latest innovations in machinery, construction materials, insulation solutions, and wood treatment products.
The first day will conclude with the presentation of the VIII Egurtek Awards, recognizing outstanding projects for their architectural quality, innovation, and contribution to new applications of wood in architecture, design, and construction. The awards are divided into three main categories: Building, Interior Design, and Product Design, along with three special distinctions.
