Ambienta, the 53^rd International Fair of Furniture, Interior Design, Construction and Sustainable Energy Solutions, was closed at Zagreb Fair. From 1 - 4 October, the fair brought together 139 exhibitors from 22 countries, with the programme including four main segments: Furniture and Design, Prefabricated and Modular Houses, Smart Home and Energy Solutions and Interior and Exterior Design.

The fair was officially opened by Željko Uhlir, MSc, State Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets and Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia: “Ambienta is an international fair that gathers representatives of the furniture industry, interior and exterior design and modern construction. It is a major and demanding organizational project, which is why I congratulate the organizers every year. It is particularly encouraging to see that Ambienta has a long-standing tradition and is being held for the 53^rd time this year. Since last year, the fair has also expanded its programme to include the fields of construction and housing”.

#StanZaSutra (Apartment for Tomorrow)

A special highlight of this year’s Ambienta was the socially responsible #StanZaSutra project, carried out in cooperation with the City of Zagreb and SOS Children’s Villages Croatia, with JYSK as the main partner and partner companies Chromos, Elgrad, FEAL keramika, Gorenje, Gorica staklo, Konzum, Masiv Club, ROCKWOOL, SG Forma and VIVAX.

At Ambienta, a realistic 101-square-metre replica of an apartment was built and fully furnished. After the fair, all of the furniture and equipment will be relocated to a city-owned apartment in Novi Jelkovec, which will become the new home for three young men participating in the Semi-Independent Living Programme of SOS Children’s Villages Croatia.

Renata Suša, Zagreb Fair Director, emphasized: “For more than half a century, Ambienta has been a place where those who envision spaces, those who build them and those who ultimately live in them come together. It is about asking questions, comparing options and exchanging ideas. And when we leave, we take home an idea we did not have when we arrived. And this is where Ambienta takes on its most meaningful purpose this year. It is wonderful to show what a good home can look like, but it is even more wonderful to give one to someone”.

Professional programme: market, construction and design

Throughout all four days, the fair featured a professional and accompanying programme covering topics such as the real estate market, sustainable construction, digitalization, architecture and spatial design.

The Forbes Croatia roundtable titled “Who Is Buying Apartments in Croatia Today?”, provided an overview of current trends in the residential property market.

The conference “Construction and Investment 2026: The Architecture of Change” brought together topics that are shaping the future of cities and the real estate market, from urban planning and sustainable financing to the digitalization of investment processes and the quality of architecture. The discussions showed that faster and more sustainable construction requires more than new technologies: it calls for thorough project preparation, predictable procedures, responsible planning and cooperation between the public and private sectors. The central question addressed in all discussions was what kind of spaces we are building and what value they will bring to the people who will use them.

The BravaCasa Design Awards for excellence in design and sustainability were also presented. The awards ceremony assembled architects, designers, representatives of the creative industries, partners and design enthusiasts. Awards were given in seven main categories, along with two special editorial awards. 

Visitors were also offered free individual consultations with architects and designers, while the final day featured a conversation with Lidija Tomas Matijević and creative workshops led by De Colores Studio.

Prize draws concluded the fair programme

On the last day of the fair, the winners of two prize draws were selected: the Ambienta Fair prize draw and the special #StanZaSutra prize draw. The lucky winners took home a selection of valuable prizes. 

With its 53^rd edition, Ambienta once again connected exhibition, professional and socially responsible segments, showcasing solutions for furnishing, construction and energy efficiency under one roof. The fair also provided a platform for manufacturers, professionals and visitors to directly exchange information and ideas about contemporary living.