A new era in modern timber construction used in urban development.
The levels of timber construction in urban development were very low, so it was decided to rectify this and modernise the existing buildings between Fernpaßstraße and Badgasteiner Strasse, using modern timber construction methods. The first phase of this large redevelopment programme is now complete and has seen a new four-storey, dual purpose buildings be realised using modern timber construction methods. The newly renovated buildings are the first of their kind to feature timber ceilings throughout.
The idea was to expand the existing buildings with timber structures, so that contemporary apartment layouts could be achieved, additional apartments could be created, and that the extension building should be completely built using a timber prefabricated system. The reduction of Co2 emissions contributed to the choice of construction material. Achieving high thermal energy savings in residential buildings requires not only a high level of financial investment, but also a high level of energy use in the manufacture and processing of building materials. Timber offers the best alternative to reduce the environmental impact significantly and permanently. Complex details such as fire protection, moisture protection and sound insulation have to be considered and a solution found. The new building shows that timber, the environmentally friendly building material, can be used convincingly and rationally to create multi-storey buildings.
Read more
This project was delivered in cooperation with the Department of Timber Construction at the Technical University of Munich. Students worked on a draft of the modernisation and extension of the neighbourhood, and then these ideas become the basis for processing and structural implementation by the office Hermann Kaufmann and Lichtblau Architekten.
The original development between Fernpaßstraße and Badgasteiner Strasse dates back to the time of rapid housing development in the 1950s. The plot consists of classic solid buildings with three storeys. The heat requirements of these existing buildings is about three times as high as the estimated new building values. The most important construction task of the future is the rebuilding or renovations of the of existing buildings. However, this cannot be financed if existing residential complexes cannot be made more efficient. Renovation of the existing building complexes is also desirable, because it slows down urban sprawl.
The Fernpaßstraße development has been built according to the latest research findings in modern timber construction, including the load-bearing prefabricated timber frame walls and individual supports store steel girders, on which in turn cross-laminated timber elements were laid. Their underside remains visible and gives the apartments a special character, due to their timber ceilings. The outer shell was prefabricated and its thermal insulation meets the Passive House requirements. The cladding of the facades was done with vertical, spruce boards. This type of exterior cladding has a long shelf life with low maintenance costs. The brightly coloured balconies and pergola parapets, with smooth metal surfaces, stand out in contrast to the simplistic timber facade.
The following goals were set for the renovation project:
