Sep 5, 2022

Architectural Timber Construction: Innovation and Research at the University of Innsbruck

Updated: Nov 8

In collaboration with Archacademy, a platform for continuous education for architects, Build-in-Wood partner Rothoblaas organised an excursion for Italian architects to the University of Innsbruck. The participants joined various experiments and were able to expand their knowledge in terms of the timber construction industry, learning what is and will be possible with wood.

After a short welcome and an introduction by Rothoblaas' co-founder Peter Lang, the day at the University of Innsbruck started with a very detailed and informative presentation by Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Roland Maderebner. The first part of the presentation focused on tall timber, briefly outlining the history of timber construction and giving examples of large-volume and multi-storey timber constructions. The participants were then introduced to innovations and research being tested and carried out at the University of Innsbruck in cooperation with Rothoblaas. As project partner proHolz Tirol collaborates with Rothoblaas within the project, and in general with the University of Innsbruck, they were invited to introduce the Build-in-Wood project, presented by Simon Holzknecht, enclosing the Build-in-Wood System, Design Guide and the Build-in-Wood Community.

The excursion continued in the technical testing and research institute where the participants assisted various experiments and tests.

The SPIDER connection and reinforcement system represents a revolution in the world of timber construction

After the experiments and a short lunch break next to the testing sites the participants visited a commercial building in Pians, Tyrol, where the "Spider Connector" developed by Rothoblaas in cooperation with the University of Innsbruck was used to connect the wooden columns to the cross laminated timber slab. This innovative connection and reinforcement system transmits up to 5,000 kN of vertical force and makes it possible to place wooden supports at larger distances.

Ongoing research and development continue to advance timber construction converting it into a true alternative. Regardless of whether it is a matter of redensification in cities, new buildings or even high-rise buildings, wood as a building material is luckily becoming more and more popular.