Commercial CLT construction and visit to Binderholz offices 131015
Last night we stayed in the Old Town district of Innsbruck a rather charming Austrian City with many historic buildings. For some of us Innsbruck will also be remembered for the size of the fried chicken portions.
From Innsbruck we headed into the country to visit a commercial building being developed near to the town of Maria Alm. This is a simple construction employing a hybrid design of concrete, steel, CLT and glulam. Our host was Michael Quehenberger of Binderholz, the suppliers of the CLT.
Binderholz CLT
Commercial CLT build
Concrete Structure and CLT panels waiting for addition
Timber inside
An impressive view
This build is a commercial project of some 500m3 of CLT and involving a 4-week construction time for the project. The construction is simple employing CLT panels along with glulam beams along with concrete posts and panels. The photos very much show the project and how it has been constructed. Not all CLT is equal as there are variations in the grades and thickness depending on the requirements of the panel and whether it is to be covered or not. Some of the panels in this construction will be left exposed and for these the surfaces have been brushed to provide a slight 3D effect from the growth rings.
Brushed CLT
Following the site visit we met up with the Binderholz team at their Hallein offices. Binderholz are a significant supplier of CLT to the global market with their know how marketed under the BBS (Binderholz Building Systems) name. A wealth of information is available online and in downloadable formats.
Binderholz is not just about CLT as they operate a very typically integrated Austrian business with some 1200 employees. The business produces biomass pellets and prefabricated systems. The CLT is available in different grades for visual (or not) and industrial options with two lines, one for ceilings and floors and the other for structural panels. The panels have both fire and acoustic certification/ ratings. With plasterboard the panels are fire tested for 90 minutes, showing the system not only retards the fire but also reduces the heat transmission.
The acoustic/ sound testing is also extensive including direct and indirect transmission with reports available on line including the impact of additional insulation.
Some of their significant projects have been schools including Preston Manor, Hilden Grange and Furness Academy.
Thought I would also include this rather impressive rocking chair, just needed a pillow for my head and it would have been perfect.