Timber construction

Over the last 20 years, we have been involved in the construction of 95,000 m2 of mass timber constructions. That alone makes us front runners when it comes to building in wood. Timber is an important element to the green transition because wood can help reduce a building’s total carbon footprint considerably.

Cross-disciplinary specialists

To us, building in wood is not a new discipline. However, there is no doubt that timber is gaining foothold in the Danish market due to the increased focus on sustainability. Timber makes interesting architecture possible while it is often much faster to build in wood, particularly, when using mass timber that allows for long, lightweight and robust elements such as CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber).

It is important to solve the inherent challenges of wooden constructions including acoustics, fire protection and moisture exposure during construction. Fortunately, we have a strong team of specialists that master the consultancy tasks together with our construction engineers.

In addition, we have established our centre of expertise for timber constructions (Videnscenter for Træbyggeri), in which we work closely with the supplier trade association “Træ i byggeriet” to advance the use of timber in construction projects.

About mass timber

The use of mass timber as load-bearing elements is gaining ground. Solid wood products are made by either gluing, nailing or dowelling the wood together. The structural elements acquire greater strength and stiffness than ordinary construction timber benefitting from the grain direction of the wood and avoiding, for example, weaknesses from knots and flaws. This makes it easier to produce long, light elements with a high load-bearing capacity, enabling the creation of unique architecture.

A number of studies show that the visual character of wood can have a positive effect on the human psyche, which is one of many reasons architects are starting to implement wood in building projects more often. Timber is a lightweight material that allows for faster construction, it requires less transport to the site and less lifts. In addition, the elements can be assembled quicker and more easily as no casting or hardening is required.

Low carbon footprint

Approximately 40% of the world’s energy is used on building work, which is why the sustainable properties of wood are a major reason for its popularity. Less energy is used for the production of wood products than for other building materials, and wood also stores CO2. From a life-cycle perspective, wood can also be easily recycled, and energy can be extracted by burning it at the end of its service life. If recycling is included, it can actually be argued that timber has a negative CO2 footprint.

We have relevant experience and expertise within:

  • All types of mass timber: CLT, Brettstapel, laminated wood, LVL and others.
  • Structural timber
  • Renovation of existing timber buildings including roof structures and timber frames
  • Various construction systems
  • Moisture protection during the construction period
  • Acoustics & noise
  • Fire protection
  • Indoor climate
  • Sustainability certifications (DGNB, BREEAM and LEED)
  • Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA)
  • Cost management
TRÆ / Træ i 20 etager / Artelia / Rådgivende Ingeniører

20-floor timber building

TRÆ is a new office building at Sydhavnen in Aarhus. It will be Denmark’s tallest wooden building with a height of 78 meters and 20 floors. TRÆ combines technical expertise with the incorporation of reuse and recycling in all parts of the building.

Owner  PFA Pension and Kilden & Hindby
Architect  Lendager
Services All engineering disciplines

40 multistorey buildings on Lisbjerg Bakke

This social housing project won the 2018 Building of the Year award, and is generally accepted as a prime example of successful Danish wooden construction, as the typical problems of acoustics, fire protection, price and damp were all successfully dealt with during the construction phase. The project consists of 6 blocks of 3 or 4 floors each.

Client  AL2Bolig
Architect  Tegnestuen Vandkunsten
Photo  Helene Høyer Mikkelsen
Services all engineering disicplines

Knudrisrækkerne

Community, sustainability and upcycling are the keywords for a new wooden construction, with 89 exciting social housing units located on Knudrisgade in Aarhus.

Client  Boligkontoret Århus
Architect  Kant Arkitekter
Turnkey contractor  Q Construction
Services All engineering disciplines

Skate hall in Jægerborg

This 1,000 m² unheated, lightweight construction is dedicated to the skaters of the area, but is also used for events and other activities. The load-bearing structure consists of laminated wood and the roof is made of CLT elements. The façade consists primarily of polycarbonate sheets made from recycled plastic.

Client  Gentofte Kommune
Architect  Tegnestuen Vandkunsten
Photo  Mads Frederik
Services Engineering consultancy

Moxy Hotel

The hotel in the southern parts of Copenhagen is mainly constructed with a patented modular building system using cross laminated timber(CLT).

Client Vastint Hospitality B.V.
Architect  BWM Arkitechten og Anders Helweg Arkitekter
Services Construction management and Health & Safety

Faaborg Havnefront

Along the waterfront at Faaborg Harbor lies a small mixed-use three-storey complex build in wood. The buildings, which were commissioned in 2006, are constructed with a main structure in the walls and decks of nailed mass timber elements.

Client  Dansk Træemballage A/S
Achitect  Arkitema
Turnkey contractor  DTE Byg
Services The structural design in phase one and all engineering disciplines in phase 2

Karolinelund Day care Centre

The Day Care Centre in Aalborg has achieved the  DGNB Platinum certificate, and one of the reasons for this is the use of certified wood.

Client  Aalborg Kommune
Architect  Bjerg Arkitektur
Services All engineering disciplines og DGNB-Audit