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International Smart Space Exhibition Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center, 25 - 29 September 2025
Construction Tech Review | Thursday, September 18, 2025
The first International Smart Space Exhibition (ISSE) to take place next week, shaping the future of smart space
Hangzhou, Under the theme of “Shaping the future of smart space”, the first International Smart Space Exhibition (ISSE) will open its doors from 25 – 29 September 2025 at the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center as a concurrent event of the Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE). Bringing together leading technology companies, industry experts, and urban planning decision-makers, the standalone ISSE will cover applications across four key sectors: “Intelligent Buildings and Smart Parks”, “Urban Public Spaces”, “Smart Commercial Spaces” and “Smart Living”. Participants will explore how to enhance spaces through cutting-edge technologies, thereby improving the interaction between people and their environment and driving advancements in building design, urban planning, and lifestyles.
Located in Hall 8 of the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Centre, ISSE will feature a range of product zones designed for various scenarios. The exhibits will include zero-carbon parks, intelligent buildings, energy management, smart living, smart offices, data centres, smart water management, smart gerontechnology, and smart hotels.
During the five-day event, a series of forums will focus on trends and applications in the smart space sector. The fair not only showcases advancements in smart space but also seeks to establish a platform that combines industry-driven development, urban transformation, cross-sector integration and international cooperation.
As a highlight of the show, the ISSE International Smart Space Summit will host global experts, corporate leaders and government representatives for in-depth discussions focused on four key areas: “Intelligent Buildings and Smart Parks”, “Urban Public Spaces”, “Smart Commercial Spaces” and “Smart Living”. It aims to expand the boundaries and potential of smart space, bringing innovative ideas to translate theory into practice. During the summit, the “Global Engineering Design Top 50 Brands Awards” awards ceremony will honour the outstanding brands and companies that have made significant contributions and influenced the smart space sector.
Intelligent Buildings and Smart Parks: Shaping smart space with technology
ISSE advocates for smart technology to accelerate the transition of “Intelligent Buildings and Smart Parks” from concept to concrete implementation. For instance, the “Zero- Carbon Smart Space Experience” zone, co-organised with Siemens, will integrate technologies such as digital twins to create interactive and immersive environments, vividly illustrating the future of intelligent green buildings. Visitors can virtually “enter” the zero-carbon park to experience the entire process of energy self-sufficiency, intelligent regulation and environmental perception first-hand.
ISSE will debut the immersive digital “Data Centre” zone, supported by the China Communications Industry Association Data Center Committee (CIDC) and curated by IDC Quan. It will feature exhibitors such as AUX, Legrand, Shenling, and Tellhow, with various data centre solutions, including power supply and distribution, temperature control systems, cabinet servers, computing power storage, and construction and operational maintenance.
Other events include “Exchange Conference on Standard-Driven High-Quality Development of Smart Parks”, “The 3rd Yangtze River Delta Intelligent Building and Smart City Forum”, “Digital Intelligence Empowerment and Scene Innovation: Building a New Ecological System for Intelligent Construction”, and “Forum of 2025 KNX smart home and building control technology – Create KNX Smart Space, Share KNX Smart Life”, which will focus on the smart park and building sectors. These events aim to examine the pivotal role of standardisation and smart development in promoting the high-quality advancement of parks. They also seek to facilitate the integration and implementation of new technologies and models, enhance management efficiency and service standards within parks, empower smart city development and contribute to the modernisation of urban governance.
Urban Public Spaces: Digitally connecting urban facilities
Elsewhere, the “Urban Public Spaces” sector emphasises future urban intelligent construction, integrated governance, smart transportation, and digital development. At the “Digital City” zone, the Zhejiang Contractors Association will make a notable appearance alongside the Zhejiang Construction Investment Group (ZCIGC), the technical research institute of Zhejiang Communications Investment Group Co Ltd, Zhejiang Jinggong Construction Group Co Ltd, the Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University and KEZHU TECHNOLOGY. They will unveil a series of innovative solutions related to infrastructure, energy management, and smart technology.
At the same time, the organising committee of the GDTE, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, will host the “The 4th GDTE Digital Empowerment For Green Development Industry (Digital City) Matchmaking Conference”. They will launch an initiative for the International Economic and Trade Framework supporting the Digital Economy and Green Development, together with formation of the digital city development committee. The event marks a new phase in the evolution of digital cities, transitioning from technological exploration to large-scale implementation.
Roleds, a leading high-tech company based in Hangzhou, will present its smart city lighting solutions alongside smart water management providers ATT PUMP and Shui Zhi Dao, as well as smart archives expert Taiyu Information, collectively contributing to global urban development and construction.
Furthermore, the 2025 China Parking Industry Conference will collaborate with ISSE for the first time. In addition to hosting forums, the event will also feature a showcase area for the results of the Parking Contest. While exploring opportunities for smart parking, ISSE will join forces with Xiziiparking, Yiting Wuyou, CTP, and Zhongke Construction to present the “Smart Parking” zone. This partnership aims to revolutionise the urban transportation and smart parking landscape by providing solutions that improve and expand urban public spaces.
Smart Commercial Spaces: Pioneering the future of workspaces
The “Smart Office” zone, jointly created by Samsung, Lenovo, Barco and Colipu, is dedicated to modern office solutions that enhance work efficiency, improve the employee experience, and reduce operational costs. Among these, WOW Office will make its global debut of the Earth Forest product line, striving to transform the future of office environments through ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.
Additionally, the “OffiSmart Smart Office Conference: Empowering Future Workspaces and Digital Innovation” will focus on topics such as remote collaboration, smart meeting systems, and optimising space utilisation to help create sustainable “Smart Commercial Spaces”.
Smart Living: Creating sustainable space to improve well-being
Furthermore, the “Smart Living” zone will showcase leading brands, including KNX China (GVS, Schneider, HDL, EaseMore, ABB, Siemens, Legrand), Chint Group, EnOcean, and Panasonic. They will highlight integrated smart home systems and connectivity technologies, demonstrating the synergy between people, technology, and spaces. For example, Hangzhou-based HONYAR will display solutions centred on “digital households” and “low-carbon energy efficiency in public spaces”, covering home automation, energy-saving solutions for underground car parks, and smart hotel technologies.
In addition, the fair will introduce the specially curated “ISSE X Léwin Artistic Smart Space Experience” zone, which combines intelligent systems with art and innovative technologies. This zone will illustrate how smart systems integrate seamlessly with spatial design to create intelligent, convenient, and personalised living environments, providing audiences with a firsthand experience of smart living. Meanwhile, jointly hosted by the China Smart Home Industry Alliance (CSHIA), the “Smart Home Digital Innovation Summit” will explore the future of smart home technology.
Seizing global opportunities, driving growth in the smart space sector
The inaugural edition has attracted 142 overseas companies to submit purchase orders while buyers from 23 countries are set to attend the show in person. These include Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the UK, the US, Vietnam, and more.
The fair has also coordinated various professional visitor groups from China and overseas, to engage in purchasing and networking opportunities. These include the Cambodia Intelligent Technology Trade Cooperation Delegation, the Thailand Smart Office Industry Representative Group, the Singapore Facility Management Group, the Thailand IoT Representatives, the Zhejiang Province Computer and Digital Technology Association Group and the Parking Services Industry Association Group, and the China National Standards Committee Group.
In collaboration with the Beijing Internet of Things Intelligent Technology Application Association and related alliances, the exhibition will co-host the “Forum on Overseas Opportunities for Smart Space” to help the industry access overseas markets and enhance its international competitiveness.
International Smart Space Exhibition (ISSE) is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and Hangzhou Expo Group. For more information, please visit www.smartspaceexhibition.com.
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Construction robotics, in its basic definition, involves using advanced machines to perform tasks that are considered dangerous to humans, repetitive in practice, or require physical abilities beyond those of human beings. This shift not only shrinks the timeframe of projects but also drastically cuts down on labor costs due to the low dependence on manual labor while simultaneously reducing on-site accidents.
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Several robotic systems have become important in bringing efficiency and ensuring safety in construction sites, particularly in underground projects:
Off-site prefabrication systems are defined as the methods for constructing the components or entire structures that could be manufactured in a controlled environment other than the actual site. Later, these would be transported to site areas, both above and below ground, for assembly with the aim of streamlining the construction process.
On-site automated robotic systems are installed directly on construction sites, undertaking all the heavy manual and labor-intensive tasks of material handling and concrete pouring required for underground development. Their deployment lessens reliance on so many laborers, therefore increasing efficiency and improving worker safety.
Drones and Autonomous Vehicles: In the case of an underground project, drones with high-tech imaging would deliver critical surveying and inspection for difficult-to-reach areas, whether for comprehensive progress or according to set regulatory standards.
Exoskeleton Wearable Devices: Exoskeletons are increasingly becoming a key enabler for workers in managing heavy loads, reducing fatigue from repeated tasks. Such technology is quite applicable in underground construction due to the heavy work to be done there.
These advances address the productivity flatline the construction industry, including underground projects, has been experiencing since the 1970s. They also make a very strong business case for potential labor cost savings and shorter project cycles.
Unleashing Innovation with Robotics for Underground Construction
Construction robotics can be applied by robotic 3D printing of complex structures. This process is generally much more advantageous than any traditional underground construction building process. This is because robotic 3D printing is fast while allowing customization of parts, and it is cost-effective due to reduced human labor and minimal material waste.
With robotics finding its place in construction, some of the ways underground projects are approached are being fundamentally rethought. From ensuring better safety for workers engaged in work to enhancement in efficiency and cost reduction, the adoption of those technologies promises a safer, faster, and more cost-effective future for underground construction and firmly positions robotics at the heart of the industry's future growth and innovation.
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Evolving Priorities in Contractor Business Management
Projects are increasingly reliant on the ability to coordinate the work in a timely manner, and contractors are increasingly focused on connected workflows to achieve this. The estimated that are developed in the office will frequently move directly into the project budgets, purchase orders, and the records for the job. Manual data entry between specific systems can create discrepancies and increase staff workload in trying to reconcile data. As the work is completed, integrated software can ensure that a common project record is kept with financial and operational data staying synchronized.
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Solving Operational Challenges through Connected Workflows
There can be inconsistencies when information is transferred from estimating, scheduling, accounting, and field systems when entered manually. One practical approach is to create common data models to enable data entered once to be used for multiple workflows. Customer information, project requirements and pricing can be integrated throughout the entire lifecycle of the job. Integration also allows for less repetitive data entry and allows employees to feel more confident that the data they access is up-to-date with the project.
Another management challenge can arise due to scope changes as extra work will impact labor, materials, schedule and billing. The problem can be solved through software, which can associate change orders with project budgets and approval processes. Authorized changes can be incorporated into the project records after the change is authorized, and the resulting costs and schedules can be shown in the project records. Keeping a log of approved changes is a way to help contractors safeguard margins and to ensure that customers are provided with more visibility into changes.
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Advancing Contractor Operations and Stakeholder Value
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AI can assist with specific administrative and analytical functions, complementing the expertise and decision-making of seasoned contractors. Using automated systems can help you detect odd cost trends, help process documents or alert you to any scheduling conflicts. When software recognizes patterns within past projects, historical project data can also be used to aid estimates. Human review is still relevant as the construction conditions, customer requirements, and site conditions are different from one project to the next.
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Scheduling and dispatch sit at the center of that test. Field capacity changes constantly as calls arrive, technicians finish early, parts are delayed or emergency work interrupts the day. Software should help managers see who is available, what each job requires and how customer commitments are changing. A dispatch board alone is not enough if the surrounding customer record, estimate and service history remain separate from the scheduling decision.
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