Austrian Technology

Cross Laminated Timber

First introduced in Western Austria in the early 1990s, cross laminated timber (CLT) is an engineered wood product that continues to grow in popularity and demand.

The first factory pre-fabricated multifamily residential project is the Oelzbuendt housing project in Dornbirn from 1997. It has a Passivhouse Certification and served as a prototype for many similar projects to follow. It was assembled on site in only a few months.

CLT has become increasingly more popular and widespread in Europe and has been making its way to North America in recent years. This is in part due to an increased demand for green building options. CLT has increased in popularity due to better efficiencies, improved distribution channels, and marketing campaigns.

The effectiveness of CLT construction in Europe has shown that it is a suitable alternative for both masonry and concrete, in low to mid-rise construction projects. But the building typology has been pushing upwards, initially with observation towers in wood, and lately through proper high-rise construction.

As numerous examples around the world already show, there are many good reasons to build high-rise buildings with timber:

  • Maximum prefabrication enables shorter construction times.

  • Timber provides a genuine low-carbon solution that does not rely on offsets.

  • Fire resistance can be achieved economically

  • Timber is environmentally friendly compared with traditional materials.

  • It is much lighter than an equivalent concrete frame, so less foundations are required.

  • Timber has an attractive appearance without expensive cladding.

  • Wood buildings require only low maintenance over their life, if designed correctly.

  • Just-in-time deliveries reduce the amount of storage space in the city center.

  • Timber construction produces less waste, dust and noise on site and less vehicle traffic. Disturbance to neighbors is minimized.

Thanks to significant advances in design and manufacturing technology, solid timber products such as glued laminated timber and CLT have become leading, renewable, low-carbon solutions.

Photo Courtesy of Binderholz GmbH

Mass Timber Technology

Austria has been a pioneer in mass timber technology for several reasons:

  • Strong Timber Tradition: Austria has a long tradition of forestry and timber construction, dating back centuries. This cultural heritage provides a solid foundation for the development and advancement of timber technologies.

  • Research and Innovation: Austrian institutions and companies have invested significantly in research and development in timber engineering and construction techniques. This includes exploring new methods of timber processing, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (glulam), as well as innovative approaches to design and construction.

  • Environmental Focus: Austria has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. Timber construction is inherently eco-friendly, as wood is a renewable resource with a low carbon footprint. The Austrian government and industry actively support the use of timber in construction as part of their efforts to promote sustainability.

  • Industry Collaboration: Collaboration between academia, government, and industry players has been instrumental in driving innovation in mass timber technology. Research institutions work closely with companies to develop new products and construction methods, while government policies and incentives support the adoption of timber construction.

  • International Leadership: Austrian companies are leaders in the global timber industry, exporting innovative products and technologies to markets around the world. This international success helps to further establish Austria's reputation as a hub for timber expertise and innovation.

Overall, Austria's combination of tradition, innovation, environmental focus, collaboration, and international leadership has positioned it as a global leader in mass timber technology.