Innovative timber construction solutions

A new generation of wood-based building materials is now being used in architecture and interior architecture. With their high level of technical performance and environmentally responsible design, these innovations are facilitating robust construction in new dimensions. Examples of the current capabilities of wood products can be found in large-scale timber construction projects such as the 55-storey skyscraper planned as part of the Marcus Center development in Wisconsin – if completed, this would be the tallest timber building in the world. The global potential is enormous, especially for skyscrapers like this. Using wood could make their construction more sustainable and cost-effective.

Currently under construction, Karlsruhe’s new district administration building will be one of the tallest hybrid timber structures in Germany at a height of 90 metres and boasting 24 storeys. Dimensions like these are made possible thanks to components for which interzum exhibitors are developing innovative solutions. Pollmeier Massivholz GmbH, for example, is a pioneer when it comes to the supply of hardwood to build impressively tall structures. The company has been marketing its own BauBuche laminated veneer lumber product for around ten years – and it’s now also being used for slim yet strong supports in high-rise buildings. Compared with conventional solutions made of spruce, BauBuche allows column cross sections to be reduced by up to 60 per cent.

Wood is also increasingly in demand as a building material in urban densification projects. As well as reducing CO₂ emissions, this natural resource also helps to make spaces warm and inviting. The houses in Berlin’s new Kokoni One development by ZRS Architekten Ingenieure are a recent example. Panels of oriented strand board (OSB) from the manufacturer Swiss Krono were used to construct the timber-framed buildings. Produced entirely from poplar timber, the panels have very low emissions and are virtually odourless. These properties means that their use is in keeping with the climate-neutral concept for the neighbourhood, which was awarded the title of Berlin Climate Protection Partner of the Year.

Environmentally friendly timber buildings require sustainable components. interzum exhibitors like SUN WOOD offer appropriate solutions for future wood-based architecture. The manufacturer’s new triple-layer finishing panels are made of wood from sustainably managed forests and are available in various formats and with different surface designs. The panels can be coated with a water-based protective varnish for additional durability and UV resistance. The company’s use of eco-friendly materials, such as certified dyes, and its avoidance of toxic varnishes are further confirmation of its sustainable approach.

In addition to its environmental advantages, there are also design benefits to using wood in construction. This natural building material can be considerably lighter than the alternatives – a characteristic that interzum exhibitor EGGER takes advantage of with its EcoBox product. This is a hollow, box-like construction element made of OSB3 and timber, whose cavity is filled with soft wood fibre insulation. Compared with solid timber, this efficient composite material uses less wood and saves on weight in its final application. It consists of 93 per cent wood, all of which comes from certified sources. The EcoBox has been in production since May 2024.

Wood offers a range of aesthetic possibilities in modern interior design, as showcased by a recent project realised by interzum exhibitor europlac. The manufacturer of real-wood veneered products has contributed to the modernisation of a hotel in Montafon, Austria, supplying its Varioplex material for the redesign of the ceiling in the hotel’s restaurant. The wave-shaped panels made of smoked oak fit seamlessly into the interior design of the space, and their special shape improves the room acoustics.

Many initiatives are currently working to increase support for sustainable timber building solutions. Construction industry experts in the United Kingdom recently published the first UK guidebook for the use of structural timber in office construction. In the Netherlands, a platform is currently under development that will give free access to knowledge and guidance concerning multi-storey residential buildings made of solid wood. The advantages of using timber in construction are well known and could help to make the building stock climate-neutral by 2050. interzum exhibitors are supplying new products and solutions to help achieve this goal.