Timber Pioneer
Frankfurt’s first ever timber hybrid office building.
Eine Person geht eine moderne Holzstiege in der Eingangshalle hoch

Frankfurt’s first ever timber hybrid office building

A working atmosphere with a feel-good factor and an impressively low carbon footprint. Timber Pioneer’s hybrid design is establishing health and sustainability in the workplace as the new state of the art.

In the heart of the Europaviertel

Only 15 minutes away from the airport for business travel and a stone’s throw away from relaxing lunch breaks in the Europagarten, Timber Pioneer’s central location guarantees ideal transport connections and a wide range of local shops.

To the airport:
15 mins (car)
30 mins
(public transport)
To the central station:
5 mins
(S-Bahn suburban trains)
10 mins (bus)
To the motorway:
5 mins (A5)
10 mins (A66)
To underground trains: direct connection via Europagarten station as of 2025
Timber Pioneer gives free rein to individuality, from single offices to open spaces or multifunctional areas. The office of tomorrow is constantly reinventing itself and is without doubt as variable as life itself.
Smart offices think for us

Smart offices think for us

Smart Sensor Technology
Intelligent sensors record the presence of office users in predefined zones of the building.
Intelligent Building Technology
Heating, cooling, sunshades and lighting are automatically controlled and personal preferences are stored.
Energy Optimization
Building automation optimizes energy needs, with positive effects on operating costs and sustainability.
CO2 Measurement
If the amount of CO2 in the air increases, the installed detectors report the need for extra ventilation.
Data Protection
All digitalization throughout Timber Pioneer conforms to privacy laws.
As the latest studies have shown, the climate change transition will not happen without intelligent buildings. Up to 30% energy can be saved if building technology systems are adapted to actual office use. Timber Pioneer keeps track of its own energy efficiency in real time.

Facts & figures

8
floors
14,000
m² office space
33
rental units
3
m floor-to-ceiling height
1,500
m³ timber used
80
%
less CO₂ through timber construction
32
parking spaces with
e-charging facilities

SUSTAINABILITY

For the future of our planet

By reducing the raw materials used in the construction industry today, we will leave the planet in better shape for our children.

Timber Pioneer takes this social responsibility seriously. Its optimized energy and resource consumption are just two features of Frankfurt’s green flagship project.

ECOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION
Junge Frau arbeitet in einem modernen Büro, macht eine Pause und trinkt Kaffee aus einer Holztasse

A timber office

Wood is the building material of the future: it is renewable, locks up CO₂, bears high loads and has a low self-weight. Some 1,500 m³ of wood is used in Timber Pioneer, which corresponds to around 1,500 tonnes of locked-up CO₂. At roughly 300 kg/m², the timber hybrid construction is 57% lighter than conventional solid construction (approx. 700 kg/m²). This resource-friendly use of materials enables carbon-neutral shell construction of the office floors. Using prefabricated composite elements also speeds up the building work, meaning less dust, less noise and less waste.
Savings made through timber hybrid construction of the office floors:
Transport
Material
Time
CO2
URBAN MINING
Ein gläsernes Gebäude, in dem sich Bäume spiegeln. Dies ist eine Aufnahme mit einer Komposition, um von einem niedrigeren Ort aus nach oben zu schauen.

Raw materials
for the
future

While glass, paper and plastic have been recycled for years, the construction sector has always lagged behind. Timber Pioneer takes the entire loop into account and engages in urban mining for the future.
Cradle-to-Cradle:
circuit
spinner
The cradle-to-cradle principle ensures that used materials do not end up as waste but remain in the raw material cycle instead. For instance, the wood used in construction and the aluminium in the curtain wall can be reused or recycled in many different ways.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Weiße Balken werfen Schatten auf eine weiße Umgebung

Sustainable heating and cooling

The smart sensor technology throughout the building optimizes the use of heating and cooling panels and controls the external sunshades. A ventilation system with heat recovery ensures high air quality in the office while minimizing energy consumption.
With its smart building technology, Timber Pioneer also cuts down on energy and other resources. The automatic night-time cooling is an energy-efficient method for cooling the building interior in the summer.
AIR AND CLIMATE
Ein Mann im Anzug steht vor einer begrünten Wand und sieht aus dem Fenster

A breath of fresh air

The extensive greenery in the inner courtyard improves the urban microclimate. Rainwater is stored here and only released gradually into the environment, giving rise to a cooling effect that counters the “heat islands” that form in the summer.
The entire office is regularly ventilated using a mechanical system. The CO₂ content of the air in the conference rooms is measured and all areas can also be ventilated manually if required.
E-mobility
Ein Mann im Anzug schiebt ein Fahrrad

Breaking new ground

This sharing concept reduces traffic volume and, in turn, CO₂ emissions. Employees cycling to work are provided with the infrastructure they need. Secure parking spaces, e-charging stations and convenient shower rooms are standard at Timber Pioneer.
The Timber Pioneer e-mobility concept is founded on environmentally friendly commuting. Thanks to its enviable connections, the building is easy to reach using public transport. Electric cars and e-bikes can be booked easily via an app.
Healthy at work

Enjoy
your office

Having a healthy working environment is important for us all. And recent scientific studies show that this is also a key economic factor. After all, motivated, high-performing employees are the most important resource that any company can have.

The extensive use of natural wood in the interior has a particularly healthy effect. As well as regulating temperature and humidity, wood has a calming influence on the cardiovascular system. Other feel-good factors include an ideal lighting set-up and optimized room acoustics.

All of which combines to create Timber Pioneer’s unique indoor climate. And, of course, employees identify closely with their companies thanks to the positive image associated with a sustainable and healthy office.

David S. Christmann, Chairman of the Management Board
UBM Development Germany
Bild David S. Christmann

“With the Timber Pioneer wood hybrid project, our green. smart. and more. strategy is becoming a reality.”

Hubert Rhomberg Managing Director – Rhomberg Group
Foto von Hubert Rhomberg

“This project is a highly visible signal for a new era. With new, genuinely sustainable thinking and clearly defined steps.”

Eike Becker Architect
Foto von Eike Becker

“We take great pleasure in helping to make our cities even better. Timber Pioneer has a far lower energy footprint than conventional office buildings.”

OFFICE SPACE

Made-to-measure office

Timber Pioneer caters for everything from a quiet single office to a dynamic workflow in the flexible working landscape of the future.

High ceilings, natural wooden surfaces and flexible partitioning – all you need for your individual office concept.

Overview
Overview
Overview
GF
Retail
2 Retail
GF GF
< back
  • GF: approx. 1,470 m² commercial space
  • Retail 1: approx. 870 m²
  • Retail 2: approx. 600 m²
  • download download
1st floor
3 tenants
2 tenants
1stfloor 1stfloor
< back
  • 1st floor: 1,842 m² rental space
  • Lounge: 280 m²
  • Garden terrace: 117 m²
  • Roof terrace: 57 m²
  • download download
2nd-6th floor
1 tenant
2 tenants
2nd-6thfloor 2nd-6thfloor
< back
  • 2nd-6th floor: 2,161 – 2,171 m² rental space
  • download download
7th floor
2 tenants
2 tenants
7thfloor 7thfloor
< back
  • 7th floor: 1,434 m² rental space
  • Roof terrace east: 20 m²
  • Roof terrace west: 20 m²
  • download download

Office settings

1
Creative Area
Personen unterhalten sich in einem modernen Büro mit viel Holz und mehreren Sitzflächen
More and more companies are eager to create atmospheric working landscapes to enhance communication and creativity. In keeping with the principles of New Work, the Creative Area provides space for informal meetings and team-oriented work.
2
Flexible Work Units
Personen arbeiten in einem hellen, modernen Büro
You can customize your own workspace with a combination of creative working landscape and retreats for quiet concentration. Flexible partitions can be added or removed easily as required.
3
Meeting Zone
Personen arbeiten in einem offenen, hellen Besprechungsraum
Functional interior and warm, discreet colours create a pleasant atmosphere for meetings and presentations. The comfortable lounge in front of the Meeting Zone is the perfect place for winding down after intense discussions.
4
Coffee Point
Personen in einer modernen Begegnungszone
The Coffee Point is the central meeting point in the open office landscape – a cosy place for taking a break or having a chat. Its green surroundings and decorative wooden elements also make an important contribution to a healthy, agreeable indoor climate.

Hard Facts

Office spaces
  • Total office spaces
    Approx. 14,100 m²
  • Floors
    8
  • Office units
    33
  • Rental units per standard floor
    Up to 5
  • Floor-to-ceiling height
    3 m
  • Fit-out grid
    1.36 m
Features
  • Floor construction
    Cavity floors
  • Wooden surfaces
    Columns, girders and beams in glulam timber
  • Type of wood
    Spruce, FSC-certified
  • Sunshades
    External, electric, weather-sensitive
  • Heating/cooling
    Heating and cooling ceilings, individually adjustable
  • Ventilation
    Mechanical supply and exhaust system
  • Manual ventilation
    Ventilation louvres on every second axis
  • Entrances in tenanted areas
    Framed glass doors
Tenant usage
  • Foyer
    Prestigious foyer on Europa-Allee
  • Lounge
    Tenant lounge on 1st floor
  • Outdoor area
    Extensive greenery in courtyard (1st floor) and on GF
  • Roof terrace
    Extensive greenery on 1st and 7th floor
  • Showers
    Shower and changing rooms
  • Lifts/elevators
    5 (divided between 2 service cores)
  • Lifts/elevator control
    Contactless via card readers
  • Access control system
    Contactless
Mobility
  • Car parking spaces
    50
  • Sharing programme
    Electric cars and e-bikes
  • E-charging facilities
    32
  • Bicycle storage room
    On GF

The Architect

Eike Becker aspires to create architecture that has a positive effect on physical and mental health without harming the environment. The timber hybrid building Timber Pioneer is a prime example here, with its predominant use of naturally sourced and engineered wood. Headquartered in Berlin, Eike Becker_Architekten currently has 50 employees and a portfolio with an array of international projects and awards.

Location

Immersed
in life

Timber Pioneer is adjacent to the new F.A.Z. Tower and is one of the final projects in the development of Frankfurt’s new Europaviertel (European Quarter). With the trade fair district (Messeviertel) within walking distance and fast connections to the city, the office location offers many advantages for your business.

Location
Microlocation
Macrolocation
Hotels
Food
Shopping
Conferences
Wellness
All
The excellent public transport connections puts many of the city’s hotspots within easy reach, and the new U5 underground line will be opened in 2025. The city has no shortage of options for lunch, conferences or after-work drinks, and the nearby Europagarten is excellent for a lunch break in the park.
Map Map
Timber Pioneer is easily reachable by car from all directions; the motorways A5 and A66 are only a few minutes away. Business travellers will benefit from the proximity to the central station and the easy access to the airport. The abundance of green space in Frankfurt and the nearby Taunus region provide opportunities for rest and relaxation.
To the airport:
15 mins (car)
45 mins (public transport)
To the central station:
5 mins (S-Bahn suburban trains)
10 mins (bus)
To the motorway:
5 mins (A5)
10 mins (A66)
To underground trains: direct connection via Europagarten station as of 2025

EUROPAVIERTEL

The green district

Since 2005, the new Europaviertel (European Quarter) has been taking shape on the site of the former main rail freight station in Frankfurt’s Gallus district. It was one of the first city districts in Europe to be awarded a platinum sustainability certificate. A positive atmosphere, effective noise protection and an intelligent traffic concept combine to give this district its special quality of life.

GUIDE TO THE DISTRICT

UBM Development
Selected projects in Germany, Austria & Czech Republic
Foto Timber Peak
Timber Peak
The tallest timber hybrid building in Rhineland-Palatinate
  • Asset class:
  • Office
  • Location:
  • Mainz
Foto Timber Factory
Timber Factory
Munich’s first timber commercial campus
  • Asset class:
  • Commercial, office
  • Location:
  • Munich
Foto LeopoldQuartier
LeopoldQuartier
Europe’s first urban quarter built with timber
  • Asset class:
  • Office, living
  • Location:
  • Vienna
Foto Timber Praha
Timber Praha
The Czech Republic’s first sustainable timber apartment building
  • Asset class:
  • Living
  • Location:
  • Prague
Foto F.A.Z Tower
F.A.Z. Tower
Headquarters of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
  • Asset class:
  • Office
  • Location:
  • Frankfurt
Foto Timber Port
Timber Port
The tallest timber high-rise in North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • Asset class:
  • Office
  • Location:
  • Dusseldorf
UBM Development
Selected projects in Germany, Austria & Czech Republic
Timber Peak
The tallest timber hybrid building in Rhineland-Palatinate
Foto Timber Peak
  • Asset class:
  • Office
  • Location:
  • Mainz
Timber Factory
Munich’s first timber commercial campus
Foto Timber Factory
  • Asset class:
  • Commercial, office
  • Location:
  • Munich
LeopoldQuartier
Europe’s first urban quarter built with timber
Foto LeopoldQuartier
  • Asset class:
  • Office, living
  • Location:
  • Vienna
Timber Praha
The Czech Republic’s first sustainable timber apartment building
Foto Timber Praha
  • Asset class:
  • Living
  • Location:
  • Prague
F.A.Z. Tower
Headquarters of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Foto F.A.Z Tower
  • Asset class:
  • Office
  • Location:
  • Frankfurt
Timber Port
The tallest timber high-rise in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Foto Timber Port
  • Asset class:
  • Office
  • Location:
  • Dusseldorf

Contact

Put yourself
in the picture
Project Partners
Development
UBM Development is one of Europe´s leading developers of timber construction projects. The strategic focus is on timber construction, green building and smart office in major cities such as Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt or Prague. A Platinum rating from EcoVadis and Prime Status from ISS ESG confirm the consequent focus on sustainability. With 150 years of experience, UBM offers all development services from a single source, from planning to marketing. The shares are listed on the Prime Market of the Vienna Stock Exchange, the segment with the highest transparency requirements.
The PAULUS real estate group has developed and realized energy-efficient and sustainable residential and commercial property since 1996. Its focus is on project development, concept design, consultation and construction management.
Lettings
Find out more about Timber Pioneer
Timber Pioneer also looks good in print, where the advantages of its design and location are presented in detail. But why not take a look through the magazine and see for yourself?
what’s next, ubm?
Timber Pioneer in a magazine

Magazine

Logistics centre opts for wood
#greenbuilding
Logistics centre opts for wood

Not far from Amsterdam, fashion giant Bestseller is building Europe’s largest timber logistics centre – called “Logistics Center West”. Designed by Danish architects Henning Larsen, it aims to set new standards in sustainability and design.

Mediating between mountain and valley
#greenbuilding
Mediating between mountain and valley

Its design blends alpine architecture with the outline of a craggy mountain range. The Congress and Exhibition Centre in the municipality of Agordo in northern Italy reimagines aesthetic forms of expression in timber construction.

A Zen-style home
#living
A Zen-style home

The Belgian city of Antwerp will soon benefit from a Japanese-inspired, timber-hybrid residential tower that is currently under construction. The building was designed by Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban, who takes nature and wood as central inspiration for his designs.

Flourishing in a residential greenhouse
#living
Flourishing in a residential greenhouse

Bremen’s Überseeinsel district is a new, green neighbourhood currently under development. Affordable, sustainable and attractive living space will be on offer in the Residential Greenhouse. It is designed to be a home for both people and plants.

New schools from construction kits
#greenbuilding
New schools from construction kits

There is a severe shortage of schools – 15,000 are needed in Europe alone. The easy-to-assemble kit from Stora Enso – called Sylva – can be used to create eco-friendly wooden schools that offer children a positive learning environment and architecture that gives them a sense of meaning and purpose.

The woman behind Henning Larsen
#architecture
The woman behind Henning Larsen

CEO Mette Kynne Frandsen has worked for over 20 years to make Danish architectural firm Henning Larsen what it is today: a pioneer in creating sustainable yet iconic architecture around the world. She gave us an interview before leaving her position.

Affordable living space made with timber
Affordable living space made with timber

Climate change and social issues are closely intertwined, and climate-friendly timber construction is often still classed as a luxury segment. The timber housing project Seestadt Aspern in Vienna is an award-winning example of social housing construction, and also an Instagram hotspot.

Architecture with health benefits
#greenbuilding
Architecture with health benefits

The New Medical Clinic (NMK) in Tübingen combines Scandinavian timber construction expertise with architecture that puts people first. Its wholly sustainable concept was designed by White Arkitekter and HPP Architekten.

Courtyards for all
#city planning
Courtyards for all

The PettCo is the name of a new neighbourhood development in Friedrichshain, Berlin, where Wilhelminian-style buildings are being renovated and made climate-ready, together with a sustainable new building. Six inner courtyards will provide new public space, urban farming included.

A carbon-free head office
#greenbuilding
A carbon-free head office

Stora Enso, the second largest forestry company in the world, will soon move into their new headquarters. The Katajanokan Laituri complex is set to be both a masterpiece of Finnish timber construction – and also climate neutral. Its aesthetics are reminiscent of grandmaster Alvar Aalto.

Sustainability with the power of two
#greenbuilding
Sustainability with the power of two

Architectural firm Pittino & Ortner based in Styria, Austria, is making a name for itself on two fronts: with its huge timber-hybrid book storage facility in Vienna and its café on Lake Thalersee near Graz.

New ideas within old walls
#smart office
New ideas within old walls

Reusing old buildings helps to protect the environment and scarce resources. As the architects from 3deluxe in Wiesbaden demonstrate, this can be achieved even in the trickiest of settings, creating state-of-the-art workspaces in the midst of industrial history.

Redensification with timber
#city planning
Redensification with timber

A competition entry submitted by architectural office Querkraft in Vienna shows the role that timber can play in increasing urban construction density. With extensive soil unsealing and greening, it also helps to create a cooling urban woodland in a Bielefeld district.

A village on the water
#greenbuilding
A village on the water

As sea levels rise and cities sink, there is a growing need for new solutions and new ways of thinking. Developed by a team of innovators, the Land on Water prototype paves the way for serial construction of sustainable buildings on water.

On track for transformation
#greenbuilding
On track for transformation

Industrial wastelands need new strategies to present workable options for re-use. The architects at Smartvoll are experts in this kind of development. One of their designs is an ecosystem for the former railway depot in Amstetten, Lower Austria, as living space for plants, animals and people.

When the school bell rings
#architecture
When the school bell rings

Its roof looks like three pyramids atop a space of celebratory grandeur, a wooden construction reminiscent of timber-framed buildings. This is precisely what the architects at Maccreanor Lavington had in mind for the new dining hall at Ibstock Place School.

A church that stores carbon
#architecture
A church that stores carbon

As the first church to be built in Copenhagen for 30 years, it may well become an icon. Ørestad Church is a sculptural timber construction designed by Henning Larsen. A kind of “Church 2.0”, it is also a modern community centre that reaches out to everybody regardless of their belief.

More timber construction for Munich
#greenbuilding
More timber construction for Munich

Following completion of Germany’s largest timber housing development in Munich, the city’s first timber hybrid office complexes are now being built. Developed by Accumulata, these projects will offer sustainable workplaces for the future and also construction materials that remain in the loop.

Long live the high-rise
#greenbuilding
Long live the high-rise

The high-rise for the future is built of wood and can be reconfigured at any time. A prototype called the Regenerative High-Rise has been designed by Haptic Architects and Ramboll to be freely adaptable. It is also a sign of a long life ahead for the concept of compact living in tomorrow’s world.

A whole town built of wood
#city planning
A whole town built of wood

Wendelstrand near Gothenburg is a new community and housing development with social and ecological sustainability, sited in a disused quarry. The master plan and Lakehouse by the architects at Snøhetta show how urban planning and housing construction can be reimagined.

Wisdome shows pioneering expertise
#greenbuilding
Wisdome shows pioneering expertise

One of the world’s most spectacular timber engineering projects was recently completed in Sweden. Built for Stockholm’s Tekniska Museet, the Wisdome is a free-form structure using 20 kilometres of laminated veneer lumber. The design uses this kind of wood in an entirely new way.

A cathedral of wood
#interior
A cathedral of wood

Canadian celebrity chef and internet star Matty Matheson teamed up with architect Omar Gandhi to create a restaurant landscape consisting entirely of wood, from top to bottom. There is little sign of rustic, folkloristic romance here, though.

Award-winning engineered timber design
#smart office
Award-winning engineered timber design

Completed in Gothenburg and made of wood, Nodi was named business building of the year 2021. It is another prestigious timber construction in the portfolio of White Arkitekter, the architects responsible for timber high-rise Sara Kulturhus in Skellefteå.

New green district in Copenhagen
#city planning
New green district in Copenhagen

Jernbanebyen is being developed right in the centre of Copenhagen, based on plans drawn up by Danish architectural office Cobe. Formerly a railroad yard, the area is being transformed into an innovative green district. It will be partially car-free, with repurposed listed buildings and lots of new ideas for improving the quality of life.

In the depths of the forest
#smart office
In the depths of the forest

Dense, green forests are often synonymous with calm, nature and unspoiled landscapes – but they also need care and attention. Such forestry operations can inspire interesting architecture, as shown by the Forest Administration Lodge in Czechia.

Better, greener, cleaner
#greenbuilding
Better, greener, cleaner

The teams at Berlin Waste Management are out and about day in day out, keeping Germany’s capital city looking good and ensuring resources remain in the cycle. Their new headquarters in Südkreuz have the same aspirations and are a prime example of sustainable ideas.

Race to the top goes Down Under
#greenbuilding
Race to the top goes Down Under

The new contender in the pursuit of the world’s tallest timber high-rise is called C6. Due for construction in South Perth, Australia, it will soar to a height of 189 metres. Residents will have access to a fleet of 80 Teslas as a special green benefit.

Digital and climate neutral
#greenbuilding
Digital and climate neutral

Their pioneering timber high-rise gained international recognition for the architects at White Arkitekter. Researcher and architect Jonas Runberger explains why computational design processes are so important for reaching climate goals.

Timber engineering with industrial chic
#smart office
Timber engineering with industrial chic

Its facade is made from recycled aluminium, and the load-bearing structure follows a hybrid timber design. Named i8, this office building in Munich’s Werksviertel is committed to decarbonization and forms a link with the neighbourhood’s industrial past.

Affordable housing made of wood
#greenbuilding
Affordable housing made of wood

Marc Koehler and ANA Architects have joined forces to build the Netherlands’ most sustainable and affordable timber mid-range residential complex, with its own tiny forest. The name of this visionary project in the Amsterdam district of IJburg? Robin Wood.

A little help from Mother Nature
#smart office
A little help from Mother Nature

Bangkok-based Plan Associates is one of Thailand’s elite architectural firms. In the north of the kingdom, they have created a new office building that harnesses the forces of nature.

More than just a workplace for IBM
#smart office
More than just a workplace for IBM

Powerhouse Company has designed the new Amsterdam headquarters of IT giant IBM, delivering on the company’s vision for the working world of tomorrow: a sustainable building that is not so much a traditional office as a pleasant and healthy meeting place for sharing ideas.

Alpine lodges redeveloped
#hotel
Alpine lodges redeveloped

MoDus Architects have restructured a hotel complex that has decades of growth behind it. The external space created by a new layer of timber on the outside of the Icaro Hotel brings together the existing buildings to form a uniform whole. On the inside, guests encounter plenty of affectionate references to Alpine clichés.

Inspired design for heavenly wines
#architecture
Inspired design for heavenly wines

The fine wines from Château Angélus winery are now also produced in Libourne, France. Its new wine cellar designed by Eric Castagnotto looks like a church nave, which is probably no coincidence.

Self-sufficiency under glass
#living
Self-sufficiency under glass

Rising energy prices won’t affect people who live in Atri, a building designed by Swedish provider Naturvillan. They will be wholly self-sufficient with solar energy, home-grown vegetables and a water treatment plant.

Smart and climate positive
#hotel
Smart and climate positive

Situated on the Danish island of Bornholm, the Green Solution House hotel features smart rooms and real-time energy and resource monitoring. The hotel designed by 3XN/GXN has raised the bar with its climate-positive timber wing.

Zurich Airport opts for timber
#greenbuilding
Zurich Airport opts for timber

Sustainability is reaching new heights for the new design of Dock A at Zurich Airport. In the design competition organized by Flughafen Zurich AG, the jury selected “Raumfachwerk”, a project submitted by BIG, HOK and 10:8 Architekten consisting primarily of timber.

Refilling the green way
#greenbuilding
Refilling the green way

The filling station of the future will be not just fossil-free, green and clean, but also a place where motorway travellers can relax and recuperate. With this in mind, a modular, ultra-fast charging station built with timber has been designed by Danish architectural studio Cobe.

Glamping in hilltop chalets
#hotel
Glamping in hilltop chalets

A luxury campsite at the foot of Vorarlberg’s Rätikon mountain range has been enlarged, with the addition of ten timber tiny houses. These hilltop chalets are a reinterpretation of the Alpine hut, and their design has won several awards.

A biotope above Manhattan
#greenbuilding
A biotope above Manhattan

Green densification, skywards: the firm 3deluxe is exploring possibilities for sustainable urban development. Its design for the new We the Planet House places a biotope above Manhattan – and demonstrates just how immensely cities can benefit from green rooftops.

Timber construction by star architect
#hotel
Timber construction by star architect

The first five-storey hotel in mass timber design is located in Zillertal, Austria, created by celebrated Italian architect Matteo Thun. It is no coincidence that one of the leading players in structural timber construction is based only a stone’s throw away.

The transformer hotel
#hotel
The transformer hotel

VALO is the name of a complex on the outskirts of Helsinki that combines hotel accommodation with office facilities. With a dual use that is both efficient and viable, the beds are folded away during the day, making way for fold-out desks.

Cedar trees off the ground
#greenbuilding
Cedar trees off the ground

Stefano Boeri is regarded as a pioneer of biodiverse architecture. The Torre dei Cedri planned for the outskirts of Lausanne will be another of his spectacular towers. This time, the vertical forest will consist of over 80 trees.

Timber showcase for Volvo
#greenbuilding
Timber showcase for Volvo

A special kind of discovery world is taking shape in Gothenburg, where Swedish vehicle manufacturer Volvo is using timber construction and nature to create its World of Volvo. The components and engineering for Henning Larsen’s design are being provided by Austrian firm Wiehag.

How to upcycle a high-rise
#greenbuilding
How to upcycle a high-rise

Danish architects 3XN are operating a separate division called GXN that develops green innovations. In this interview, Kim Herforth Nielsen and Kåre Poulsgaard talk about behavioural design, carbon as a market driver, and their radical high-rise project in Sydney.

Wave of the future
#greenbuilding
Wave of the future

The Klimatorium in Lemvig, Denmark, devises strategies to counteract global climate change. Situated on the coast of Jutland, the building designed by architects 3XN has already achieved iconic status.

A bridge to the future
#greenbuilding
A bridge to the future

As Dusseldorf’s Theodor Heuss Bridge needs a complete overhaul, the team at RKW Architektur + put their heads together – and produced a spectacular new design. It is literally packed with potential.

Yes to Jess!
#city planning
Yes to Jess!

The town of Jessheim is getting an impressive new centre. Designed by Norwegian firm Mad arkitekter, it promises to combine sustainable urban development with attractive indoor and outdoor areas.

New life among the mushrooms
#architecture
New life among the mushrooms

Metropol Parasol has achieved a phenomenal rejuvenation of a neglected square in Seville. The iconic timber construction by J.MAYER.H architects is a prime example of successful intervention in public space.

Blueprint for forests in urban living
#city planning
Blueprint for forests in urban living

The Forestias is one of the largest property development projects in Thailand. The highlight of this project by Foster + Partners is a 48,000 m² urban forest designed by TK Studio.

Timber high-rise with guaranteed recycling
#greenbuilding
Timber high-rise with guaranteed recycling

The Kajstaden Tall Timber Building in Sweden marks the beginning of a new generation of mass timber blocks. Using this building material saves around 500 tonnes of CO₂, and it also facilitates deconstruction later on.

Now that’s rocket science
#greenbuilding
Now that’s rocket science

There’s a rocket preparing to launch in Switzerland. The residential timber high-rise named Rocket in Winterthur’s Lokstadt neighbourhood will reach a height of 100 metres. The tower’s residents will be part of the 2000-watt society.

It’s time for Carl
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It’s time for Carl

May we introduce Carl? Using timber for its facade besides the supporting structure, the apartment block is currently under construction in Pforzheim. Architect Peter W. Schmidt explains how this is being done.

A school with the hygge factor
#greenbuilding
A school with the hygge factor

Kautokeino skole in northern Norway is a project that seeks to embrace the uniqueness of Sami culture and educational style. The mass wood building is so hygge, you’ll want to check in for a few nights.

Cabins in the Lyngen Alps
#architecture
Cabins in the Lyngen Alps

If you love the far north, you’ll love the Lyngen Alps. And if you love the Lyngen Alps, you’ll love the bungalows by architect Snorre Stinessen.

Superblock designed with mass timber
#city planning
Superblock designed with mass timber

Canada’s megaproject Waterfront Toronto includes a new district called Quayside, an all-electric and climate-neutral community. Its highlights are a two-acre urban forest and the residential Timber House by architect David Adjaye.

Where the future is radically car-free
#city planning
Where the future is radically car-free

The city of San Diego in Southern California has plans for a new district, one that will be entirely void of cars. Known as Neighborhood Next, it must be one of the most radical projects in the USA.

Climate neutral and affordable
#city planning
Climate neutral and affordable

The new urban quarter Zwhatt near Zurich is designed to enable climate-neutral living at affordable prices. One of its buildings is a 75-metre-high timber hybrid tower known as Redwood, whose facade generates solar power.

Wood with superpowers
#greenbuilding
Wood with superpowers

Architect and biologist Timothée Boitouzet has used nanotechnology to give wood an upgrade. The new material “Woodoo” is translucent, fire-resistant, weatherproof and up to five times stronger than normal wood.

High-tech timber for Norwegian banking
#smart office
High-tech timber for Norwegian banking

Timber construction can be decidedly high-tech, as illustrated by the head office built for SR Bank in Stavanger, Norway. Bjergsted Financial Park offers workplaces that are fit for the future, and it is among Europe’s largest engineered timber buildings.

In harmony with nature
#greenbuilding
In harmony with nature

So, what does “Noom” actually mean? While Sanzpont [arquitectura] and Pedrajo + Pedrajo Arquitectos don’t exactly reveal this, their “Living the Noom” concept is pretty clear: it’s all about a fresh take on housing. With environmental protection and quality of life as a top priority.

Hamburg sets a new benchmark
#greenbuilding
Hamburg sets a new benchmark

HafenCity Hamburg is an urban quarter fit for the future. Its eco cherry on the top is the “Null-Emissionshaus” (Zero Emissions Building), which is completely carbon-neutral – and can be dismantled like a Lego house.

The oblique cabins of Tungestølen
#hotel
The oblique cabins of Tungestølen

Snøhetta creates high-calibre architecture, including accommodation at high altitudes amidst Norway’s glaciers. The architects have enriched the Tungestølen mountain cabins with a special feeling of hygge.

Urban apartments off the peg
#greenbuilding
Urban apartments off the peg

Apple’s former design head BJ Siegel has developed a concept for a timber modular house. The urban prefab named Juno is designed for mass production – and hopes for success on the scale of the iPhone.

Village life in the city
#greenbuilding
Village life in the city

Communal vegetable patches, car sharing and a timber building that overtops many others. Sweden’s largest housing cooperative is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a project called Västerbroplan that shows how people will live in the future.

A superlative tree house
#greenbuilding
A superlative tree house

Bearing the name Tree House Rotterdam, Holland’s new landmark-to-be looks like a gigantic stack of wooden shelves with glass lofts added on top. It aims to take the sustainability of timber high-rises to a new level.

Co-housing 2.0
#living
Co-housing 2.0

Three tonnes of lettuce and vegetables annually will be farmed on top of the We-House, a timber construction project in Hamburg’s HafenCity. The on-site restaurant serves meals for residents of this sophisticated eco-house at cost price.

The parametric office
#smart office
The parametric office

The design for the urban office building Saint Denis in Paris shows the potential of parametric design in timber construction. Architect Arthur Mamou-Mani is a luminary in this new discipline, and we were able to meet him online.

Wood on London’s skyline
#greenbuilding
Wood on London’s skyline

Researchers at Cambridge University are helping to turn London’s spectacular vision of a wooden skyscraper into reality. The Oakwood Timber Tower is to rise 300 metres into the sky, almost level with the tallest building in the city.

Vertical allotments for urban farming
#city planning
Vertical allotments for urban farming

Self-sufficiency is no longer a dream reserved for downshifters. The modular building system named The Farmhouse designed by Studio Precht allows residents to grow food in big cities.

Timber pavilion with high-tech design
#greenbuilding
Timber pavilion with high-tech design

Homerton College at the University of Cambridge has chosen the design by Alison Brooks Architects for a pavilion that combines modern timber construction with high-tech facilities. It is expected to be a future-facing answer to their needs.

Green, greener, Växjö!
#greenbuilding
Green, greener, Växjö!

The Swedish university city of Växjö has been named “the Greenest City in Europe”. Half of all its new buildings have been built with timber. But the city plans to go even further.

Timber through and through
#city planning
Timber through and through

The Scandinavians have shown their pioneering strength once again, this time in the design for a new cultural centre. The Sara Kulturhus in Sweden’s Skellefteå is among the world’s tallest high-rise structures built entirely from wood.

The exported timber high-rise
#greenbuilding
The exported timber high-rise

When it comes to timber construction engineering, the United States has been lagging behind other countries. Ascent Tower in Milwaukee aims to change this. Topping out as the world’s tallest timber tower at a height of 284 feet, the building uses expertise and structural elements from Austria.

Shopping inside a timber canyon
#interior
Shopping inside a timber canyon

As many as 40,000 pieces of wood had to be fitted together for the gift shop in the National Museum of Qatar. The inspiration behind this award-winning interior design was supplied by a miracle of nature in Qatar’s desert.

The tallest passive house in the world
#greenbuilding
The tallest passive house in the world

Canada’s Earth Tower aims to outshine all existing timber high-rise buildings. Its energy concept means that this 40-storey skyscraper in Vancouver will be the world’s tallest passive house.

Replacing concrete with earth
#greenbuilding
Replacing concrete with earth

On the edge of the tropical rainforest in Mexico, a research museum will explore how nature and progress can be reconciled. Known as Xinatli, its sophisticated design takes a fresh look at circular building materials.

Back to the roots
#living
Back to the roots

The eco-friendly residential project Roots will be the new landmark of Hamburg’s HafenCity and the tallest timber high-rise in Germany. Architect Jan Störmer reveals what its future residents will have in common.

Timber with talent and technology
#greenbuilding
Timber with talent and technology

The Danish office 3XN is planning to build North America’s tallest timber office building in Toronto. Called T3 Bayside, the complex will offer more than 500,000 sq. ft. of next-generation office space when completed.

Back to the future
#city planning
Back to the future

Oslo was once built entirely of wood. The project chosen to redesign the area around its railway station heralds the return of this traditional building material to the Scandinavian metropolis. A spectacular office tower with an innovative hub is being developed, named Fjordporten.

Forest bathing on your doorstep
#greenbuilding
Forest bathing on your doorstep

Dutch architectural firm Gaaga has designed a residential building in Eindhoven that is distinctly people- and environment-friendly. Surrounded by trees, it is situated in the middle of a park.

A design hotel on a bunker
A design hotel on a bunker

The redevelopment of an above-ground Nazi-era bunker is Hamburg’s largest building project since the Elbe Philharmonic Concert Hall. With spectacular rooftop gardens and nhow Hamburg design hotel, this new landmark in the heart of the St. Pauli district is sure to become a magnet for visitors.

The tessellated pavilion
#greenbuilding
The tessellated pavilion

Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and Australian artist Geoff Nees teamed up to design the Botanical Pavilion – a wooden pavilion that is constructed like a 3D puzzle – without using any kind of glue or screws.

The house made by 3D printers
#greenbuilding
The house made by 3D printers

The round construction known as TECLA has created quite a stir. Having teamed up as 3D printing pioneers, WASP and Mario Cucinella Architects have produced the first CO₂-free housing prototype printed entirely from raw earth.

Origami in wood
#greenbuilding
Origami in wood

Japanese architectural firm UENOA has created a wooden office that has no need for bearing walls. Folded origami-style, the ceiling construction gives a whole new lightness to cross-laminated timber.

“Climate change changes everything”
#greenbuilding
“Climate change changes everything”

Sustainability is a top priority for the Powerhouse Company. In an interview, partner Stefan Prins explains why this means more than just a careful choice of materials and energy efficiency, and how essential it is to consider all the changes brought about by climate change when building.

A timber high-rise goes into production
#greenbuilding
A timber high-rise goes into production

The Life Cycle Tower One was the first timber high-rise in Austria and the prototype for a new type of serial construction. CREE founder Hubert Rhomberg explains the green building concept and why we have to learn to think in lifecycles.

Timber housing on a modest budget
#greenbuilding
Timber housing on a modest budget

Most people looking for a new home with a sustainable design need to have deep pockets. Rotterdam’s Pendrecht district aims to buck this trend courtesy of timber building Valckensteyn, the brainchild of the architects at Powerhouse Company.

All in the name
#greenbuilding
All in the name

In Düsseldorf, The Cradle is gradually taking shape. The timber hybrid office building is being constructed according to circular economy principles, and these will also govern its future use.

Twin peaks for the Netherlands
#greenbuilding
Twin peaks for the Netherlands

The Dutch city of Eindhoven will soon be home to the world’s highest “plyscraper”. The two towers – 100 and 130 metres high and known as the Dutch Mountains – are to set new standards in high-rise timber construction.

New Kiez on the Block
#city planning
New Kiez on the Block

An entire residential complex in Berlin-Kreuzberg is to be built out of timber – vertically. With a planned height of almost 100 metres, WoHo is set to be Germany’s tallest timber building.

Crowned with timber
#greenbuilding
Crowned with timber

A mixed-use project in Sweden’s Gothenburg is being crowned by star architect Dorte Mandrup. The jewel in this crown is its use of timber. The new eco construction is intended to become an icon in sustainable urban architecture.

Feel-good furniture
#interior
Feel-good furniture

Designed by US architect David Rockwell, built according to WELL Building Standard principles. The Sage Collection by British furniture maker Benchmark is good for humans and the environment.

Plyscraper on Lake Geneva
#city planning
Plyscraper on Lake Geneva

Swiss urban planning combines prominent architecture with ecological timber construction. Lausanne’s Tilia Tower is setting a high standard in future-proof urban development.

A district made of wood
#city planning
A district made of wood

Munich’s Prinz-Eugen-Park is the site of the largest integrated timber settlement in Germany. And that’s not all – the city planners have even more in the pipeline.

Gare Maritime restored in timber splendour
#greenbuilding
Gare Maritime restored in timber splendour

Once Europe’s largest freight station, Brussels’ monumental Gare Maritime is now the largest European CLT project. Neutelings Riedijk Architects have transformed the historic structure into a covered district, giving it a sustainable new lease of life using cross-laminated timber.

Sydney hosts a timber innovation
#greenbuilding
Sydney hosts a timber innovation

The plans just unveiled for the new, 180-metre-high timber tower designed for the Sydney-based software giant Atlassian represent a milestone in environmentally friendly construction using this renewable raw material.

Baptism of fire
#greenbuilding
Baptism of fire

Charred is the new black. An ancient Japanese technique for conserving wood is all the rage in contemporary architecture. As well as looking sophisticated, this building material scores top marks when it comes to sustainability.

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