Reaching New Heights with Timber
Multi-Story Timber Construction: Customized, Efficient, Experienced.
In our cities, space is becoming scarce – but ideas are growing. Multistory timber construction creates new perspectives for housing, education, workplaces, and research. It is compact, well thought-out, and utilizes a material that is both structurally sound and atmospheric.
What was once considered visionary just a few years ago is now a reality: buildings made of wood with four, five, or even twenty stories – technically sophisticated and architecturally striking. With each additional floor, the requirements increase – for fire safety, comfort, logistics, and planning.
And this is where our strength lies: We support ambitious projects with expertise, a systematic approach, and a passion for a building material that connects architecture with purpose. In this article, we clarify common misconceptions, address frequently asked questions, and illustrate why multistory timber construction is not only feasible but also practical, efficient, and sustainable for the future.
What is Multistory Timber Construction?
For us, multistory timber construction generally begins at three full stories. The key factor is not just height but also the load-bearing structure: We define multistory timber buildings as those where the load-bearing structure of the above-ground floors primarily consists of wood.
Specifically, this means that columns, beams, and load-bearing walls are made of wood, as well as the ceilings – either in pure timber construction or as a timber-concrete composite. However, stiffening cores are typically executed in reinforced concrete.
This should not be confused with hybrid timber construction: In this method, both the load-bearing structure (i.e., columns and ceilings) and the cores are completely made of steel or reinforced concrete – only the building envelope is constructed from wood.
This differentiation is crucial for accurately categorizing the constructive possibilities and advantages of both systems and for effectively utilizing the full potential of wood as a load-bearing material in multistory construction.
Why Choose Multistory Timber Construction?
- Prefabrication: Quality Meets Speed
- Space Gains Through Slim Construction
- Resource Efficiency and CO₂ Balance
- Low Self-Weight
- Technical Comfort Included
- Safety Without Compromises
Wood can be precisely and industrially prefabricated in the factory, maintaining consistently high quality. Wall, ceiling, and façade elements are delivered to the construction site pre-assembled, including fixtures, installations, insulation, and windows. This not only saves time and ensures better planning throughout the project but also guarantees high planning and construction quality, targeted delivery planning, and more efficient on-site assembly. This allows for reliable and structured work even on cramped construction sites, aligning with a lean construction process.
Compared to solid materials, wood requires less space for the same load-bearing capacity. This means more usable area on the same footprint – a clear advantage, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Wood is a renewable resource, storing CO₂ for decades and facilitating regional value chains. Each cubic meter of wood potentially replaces emission-intensive materials, bringing us a step closer to climate-friendly construction.
Wood is lightweight, which directly impacts statics, foundations, and logistics. This is particularly advantageous for construction on existing buildings, for extensions, or on cramped construction sites.
Wood naturally regulates humidity and temperature. It provides insulation, pleasant acoustics, and fosters a comfortable indoor climate – all without additional technology.
In multistory timber construction, our designs meet all requirements for fire, sound, and earthquake protection – either based on existing regulations or through project-specific approvals in individual cases or project-related building permits.
Challenging Project?
We Speak the Same Language.
Multistory timber construction requires experience. The higher the building, the greater the demands: on statics, assembly, logistics, and planning.
That’s why we think integratively: We support architects and planners from the very beginning. We consider transport routes, assembly sequences, interface reduction, and scheduling. We know that every detail counts, especially in urban situations with limited storage space, high traffic, and tight schedules.
Those who involve us early benefit from well-designed processes, optimized interfaces, and significantly more planning security. In demanding projects, it becomes clear that proactive planning determines success.
Our range of services extends from comprehensive consulting and engineering services, as well as detail development during the planning phase, to product-specific production and assembly planning, along with cross-trade coordination on the construction site. Thanks to our production capacity of over 250,000 m² of roof, ceiling, and wall elements annually and stringent quality assurance through industrial prefabrication, we can reliably, efficiently, and punctually implement large and complex construction volumes.
This is not an add-on – it is a central success factor. Timber construction is most effective when the material’s inherent qualities are taken into account from the outset. This results in solutions that are not only technically sound but also visually compelling.
Projects That Showcase the Potential of Wood
Our references demonstrate the versatility and performance of multi-story timber construction today, across various scales, building tasks, and urban contexts.
ROOTS in Hamburg: Germany’s tallest wooden building at 72 meters, featuring 20 stories, 16 of which are constructed from timber. The load-bearing interior walls, ceilings, and façade elements made from over 5,500 m³ of wood were prefabricated in large formats and precisely assembled on-site. A second glass façade permanently protects the wooden structure – a strong example of technical precision in urban construction.
Waldcampus Aalen: This six-story campus combines a highly efficient wood load-bearing structure with timber-concrete composite ceilings and exhibits a clear architectural stance. Reduced construction moisture, quick assembly, and high quality of life make this project a model for functional educational buildings.
Cube One at the Technical University of Nuremberg: A multi-story timber building constructed around reinforced concrete cores, incorporating around 1,500 m³ of wood in prefabricated ceiling, roof, and wall elements. The flexible room concept is designed for future research and teaching needs. Two green facades and a PV system underscore the holistic sustainable approach.
Residential Complex Ober-Grafendorf: This project in Lower Austria demonstrates how affordable housing can align with architectural quality: four modular timber buildings were docked to an L-shaped concrete core, complemented by prefabricated façade elements with integrated insulation, windows, and wooden cladding.
Residenza Emilia in Parma: Originally planned conventionally, this project was entirely realized in timber construction, with five above-ground stories and 50 residential units. The load-bearing structure made from cross-laminated timber (CLT) was assembled in just six months, including complex technical details like balcony insulation and glass railings.
New G in Paris: A forward-looking ensemble of three buildings with a total of twelve stories. The load-bearing structure consists of laminated timber, complemented by timber-concrete composite ceilings and an integrated timber frame facade. Communal areas such as a rooftop cinema, sports hall, and library promote social interaction – a bold step towards sustainable urban design.
Where the Future Takes Shape
Multistory timber construction showcases its strengths where other building methods face limitations: on narrow plots, above existing structures, or within established urban neighborhoods. It is exactly in these spaces, where space is limited, that innovative ideas are needed most.
This demands more than static solutions: fire protection, acoustics, building physics, and building law all interconnect and need to be considered early on. Those who think along here will prevail, especially when prefabrication, transport, and assembly are planned from the outset.
At the same time, timber construction is evolving – through urban densification, modular systems, serial processes, or the question of how components can be reused later. It is not just about building; it’s about values. It’s about creating new opportunities for architecture and construction.
It is about more than just building; it is about values. About creating new spaces for architecture and construction.
Experience helps. Curiosity does too. The more unique the challenge, the better we can demonstrate what is possible in multistory timber construction today – technically, aesthetically, and ecologically.
Let us create buildings together that do not just stand – but also make an impact. And grow.
