Messe Frankfurt is expanding its portfolio in the Central Asian market and, with the Intelligent Building Expo 2026, is organising its first-ever technical trade fair in Uzbekistan.

The new trade fair will take place in Tashkent from May 20 to 22, 2026. The areas included in its product portfolio are heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and water supply; lighting and building automation; security technology; and IT security.

As Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer of Messe Frankfurt, emphasises: “With our strong trade fair brands ISH, Light + Building and Intersec, Messe Frankfurt has the leading events relating to integrated and smart building technology, security technology and fire protection in its portfolio.

“We are very pleased that the Intelligent Building Expo will now allow us to bring together selected product areas from all three of these trade fairs. The new format gives us the opportunity to meet the needs of the region and to expand our expertise in Central Asia.”

The Intelligent Building Expo showcases cutting-edge technologies in climate and water management, lighting, and security systems. Serving as a key meeting point for manufacturers, architects, engineers, and government representatives, it marks the eighth event that Messe Frankfurt has hosted in Uzbekistan, following successful exhibitions such as Automechanika Tashkent and Heimtextil Uzbekistan.

In partnership with Business Media Central Asia (BMCA), Messe Frankfurt continues to expand its presence in the region. BMCA, a regional leader, oversees Messe Frankfurt’s events in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Uzbekistan has become one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies, with over 57,000 active companies, many of which are involved in construction and urban development. This rapid growth presents significant opportunities for international businesses offering solutions in energy efficiency, water management, and building security.

The European Union recently announced a €12 billion investment in energy, infrastructure, and digital connectivity, further solidifying the country’s status as a key market for sustainable development.

The Bathroom Association has revealed Roca Group as the overall winner of its 2025 Sustainability Awards at the recent Connect Conference Gala Dinner. Roca Group was honoured for its Electric Kiln: Revolutionising Ceramic Production with Sustainability and Precision.

According to the Bathroom Association, this innovation represents a major step forward in the decarbonisation of ceramic manufacturing and sets new standards for energy efficiency, precision, and sustainable production methods. It is said to represent a world first in industrial ceramic manufacturing, as it enables high-precision temperature control, ensuring optimal firing conditions and consistently superior product quality. An intelligent energy management system dynamically adjusts energy input to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.

Rashpal Sidhu, managing director, Roca UK and Ireland, commented, “Roca Group has a global commitment to a greener future, and we’re enormously proud of the huge role our electric kiln is playing in that overall sustainability initiative. For this, then, to be recognised by our peers in these awards is absolutely fantastic, and I’d like to thank the Bathroom Association on behalf of everyone at Roca Group – we’re delighted.”

Bathroom Association Chief Executive Daphne Doody-Green praised the achievement, saying: “Roca Group’s Electric Kiln is a shining example of how our industry is rising to the challenge of climate change. It shows how bold ideas and technological innovation can transform traditional processes into sustainable solutions for the future.”

The judging panel noted the high calibre of entries across the board, with several submissions awarded commendations in recognition of their outstanding contributions. Finalists included Thomas Dudley Limited, Kohler Mira, Triton Showers, and eco-cistem™, all of whom showcased innovative projects said to make a tangible difference to water and energy efficiency.

The Connect Conference Gala Dinner brought together leaders and innovators from across the industry, celebrating not only the award winners but also the collective drive towards a greener, more sustainable future.

New homes in England could be fitted with mandatory water-saving showers and toilets under government proposals aimed at conserving water.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation seeking feedback on proposed changes to Building Regulations 2010, Part G.

It comes as five areas of the UK still battle drought. The Environment Agency has confirmed the UK experienced the driest March to July period since 1921 across central and north-east England, and that public water supply reservoir storage levels are still falling for most reported reservoirs.

The government states that the proposals would have a negligible impact on user experience, yet may reduce water usage by approximately 20 litres per person per day, resulting in a saving of £100 per year on household bills.

Additionally, the consultation examines the potential integration of water reuse systems in new developments to enhance water efficiency further.

Industry professionals, developers, housebuilders, and the public are encouraged to participate in the consultation, which remains open until December 16, 2025.

The latest UK Houzz Bathroom Trends Study* reveals that 58% of respondents increased the size of their shower during renovations, with a quarter expanding it by over 50%. Overall, bathroom footprints are also growing, with 21% enlarging their bathrooms during renovations (21%).

Most shower room expansions take space from bedrooms (28%) or from home extensions (18%). While smaller bathrooms still dominate – 39% are under 5five square metres – the share of larger bathrooms has grown, with those between 10 and 14.99 square metres and 15+ square metres each rising by 3 percentage points year on year (13% and 7%, respectively). 

“We’re seeing a notable shift toward larger bathroom footprints, suggesting that homeowners may be rethinking the role of this room in the home,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist.

“Rather than focusing purely on function, many are turning to professionals for help creating spaces that support relaxation and daily comfort, with changes to showers and layouts playing a central role.”

Corner showers remain the most popular choice (32%), while walk-in showers with low thresholds (29%) or no thresholds at all (14%) continue to gain popularity, compared to last year (28% and 12%, respectively).

While functional issues remain the top trigger for renovation (51%), this is down from 59% in 2024. Aesthetic updates are a key driver – with 35% aiming for a more stylish space and 28% customising after home purchase.

Reliance on home professionals continues to be high, with nearly 9 in 10 homeowners (89%) hiring professionals to assist with their bathroom renovations. Tradespeople were hired most frequently (51%), followed by bathroom fitters and builders (43% and 36%, respectively). On the design side, more than a quarter of homeowners hired bathroom designers (28%).

Additional trends from the study include:

• Minimalist Styles on the Rise: Contemporary (38%) and modern (26%) remain the dominant bathroom styles; however, Scandinavian and Japandi styles are growing in popularity, each increasing by 3 percentage points to reach 4%, showing a preference for minimal and natural aesthetics.
• Double Basins Are More Popular: The share of homeowners incorporating more than one basin rose 3 percentage points year on year to reach 13%, reflecting how increased bathroom space enables more luxurious layouts.
• Sustainability Is Mainstream: A significant 87% of homeowners added sustainable features, motivated by cost-effectiveness (73%) and environmental impact (65%). LED lights were the most common features incorporated to support sustainability (72%), followed by water-efficient fixtures (42%) and timeless design elements (35%). 
• Freestanding Vanities Gain Momentum: Floating vanity units remain the top choice (53%), though they are down slightly year on year (55% in 2024). Freestanding vanity units gained traction, rising 7 percentage points to reach 28%. More than 1 in 5 homeowners opted for semi-custom or completely custom vanities (22%). 

You can download the full 2025 UK Houzz Bathroom Trends Study here.

*The “2025 UK Houzz Bathroom Trends Study” is a report of homeowners who are in the midst of, are planning or recently completed a bathroom renovation. The online survey was fielded to UK Houzz users from May to June 2025. n=330.

Photography by: Amy-Hunt-Interior-Design