Increase Loepfe Brothers Ltd, Wetzikon

The project
The client's wish: as much freedom as possible in the design of the space and the possibility of easy conversion at a later date. Timbatec's solution: No load-bearing interior walls and only one row of columns in the middle of the building for maximum flexibility.

The construction
This was made possible by two high-performance wooden components: a beam made of BauBuche, which rests on the row of columns made of spruce glulam in the center of the building. The new, high-performance construction material allows a column spacing of 5 meters with a beam cross-section of only 400x300 millimeters. The second high-performance component is the box girder that forms the floor and roof elements. Thanks to the choice of an efficient static system, it was possible to achieve a low height of the elements.

The challenge
Said system requires that the elements extend from one external wall, through the beam in the middle, to the opposite external wall. The ceiling and roof elements reach a length of 16.9m. Thanks to the clever choice of structural systems and the targeted use of high-performance building materials, Timbatec succeeded in fulfilling the client's wishes and realizing a modern, economical timber construction.